NHS Plans For AI Must Embrace Cloud Solutions

The Prime Minister has announced £250 million will be invested in artificial intelligence (AI) technology for the NHS, which the government believes will revolutionise healthcare in the UK. However, as it relies on personal data, there is the risk that this information will be mishandled, particularly if staff are not trained properly to use the technology.

One of Boris Johnson’s first major tasks in his new role as Prime Minister has been to pledge funding for the National Artificial Intelligence Lab.

He claimed the advanced technology would help with early cancer and dementia detection, as well as implement new treatments for patients.

“Today’s funding is not just about the future of care though. It will also boost the front line by automating admin tasks and freeing up staff to care for patients,” Mr Johnson stated.

The National Artificial Intelligence Lab will work by using algorithms to analyse data and create patterns as a result.

According to the BBC, AI systems are “as good as leading doctors at spotting lung cancer, skin cancer and more than 50 eye conditions from scans”. They could also determine who might suffer from post-operative complications and infections, and who to offer follow-up appointments to.

Therefore, doctors will be able to devote their attention to more urgent cases, while the NHS also hopes the AI technology will lower readmission rates, reduce the time it takes to do administrative tasks, and improve patient safety.

However, as it relies on personal data, there is the risk that this information will be mishandled, particularly if staff are not trained properly to use the technology.

With the right instruction and good-quality cyber security, using computer systems to store, analyse, and form patterns from patient data could change the NHS for the better. To find out more about medical imaging solutions, take a look here.