UK Launches AI Research Screening Platform to Speed NHS Diagnoses
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England have joined forces to develop a groundbreaking digital platform, AI Research Screening Platform (AIR-SP). This innovative tool is designed to test AI tools on a large scale across NHS screening programmes. The first major project for AIR-SP is a significant trial involving nearly 700,000 women to assess AI tools for breast cancer detection, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
AIR-SP is a key part of the government's Plan for Change, aiming to transform the NHS from analogue to digital. By creating a single cloud platform connected to all NHS trusts, AIR-SP will allow multiple AI tools to be trialled simultaneously in a shared environment. This will not only accelerate diagnosis and improve patient outcomes but also position the UK as a more attractive destination for MedTech investors. The platform, backed by nearly £6 million in government funding, is expected to be ready for research use by 2027.
Currently, AI trials are often delayed due to fragmented IT infrastructure. AIR-SP represents a shift from this approach, promising a more streamlined and efficient process for testing and implementing AI tools in the NHS.
The AI Research Screening Platform (AIR-SP) is set to revolutionise the way AI tools are tested and implemented in the NHS. With a significant investment from the government and a clear vision for its rollout, AIR-SP is poised to accelerate diagnosis, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen the UK's position in the global healthcare market.
