Here we take a look at some recent updates from across the NHS which share insight into the ways artificial intelligence (AI) tools are being implemented; from supporting the diagnosis of skin cancer, to helping identify fractures from x-rays, to assisting in detecting cancerous tumours during a colonoscopy.
Study highlights increased cancer detection rates with AI in Bolton
A study using AI to help detect cancerous tumours during colonoscopies has reportedly highlighted an 8.3 percent increase in the detection of cancerous cells, with the trust sharing belief that this has the potential to save “up to 42 percent of lives”.
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust took part in the COLO-DETECT trial, led by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University, with more than 180 patients recruited across the trust between September 2021 and March 2023.
By utilising the GI Genius AI device – a computer module powered by AI – the trust reportedly saw the 8.3 percent increase in adenoma detection during colonoscopies, which it states could lead to “an almost 25 percent reduction in post-colonoscopy colorectal cancer and a 41–42 percent reduction in fatal cases”.
AI to support fracture detection in East Suffolk and North Essex
AI technology is helping to support the detection of fractures in East Suffolk and North Essex, scanning “thousands” of x-rays for signs of fracture that “may be missed by the naked eye”.
The Boneview technology has been supported by the trust’s innovation team, and will be launched at Ipswich Hospital, Colchester Hospital and the Urgent Treatment Centre at Clacton Hospital.
Dr James Hathorn, consultant radiologist at ESNEFT, highlighted that “every single x-ray will continue to be reviewed by a clinician in A&E and a radiologist or radiographer”, but that the AI will hopefully help A&E doctors “speed up the process” in instances where x-rays might not be reviewed by radiology for “some time”.
AI skin cancer detection pilot extended in Suffolk and North East Essex
In Suffolk and North Essex, a pilot has trialled the use of AI technology in analysing skin lesions and moles to detect potential skin cancer.
After being rolled out in practices in Clacton in August 2023 and in practices across Harwich in March 2024, the technology is now set to be trialled in Colchester as part of a pilot scheme set to run until March 2025.
The Skin Analytics DERM system works by scanning photographs of skin concerns for 11 of the “most common” malignant, pre-malignant, and benign skin conditions, recommending a referral for patients to a consultant dermatologist if it suspects a lesion is cancerous. If no cancer is suspected, a consultant will also check the tool’s response before accepting its recommendation that a patient be referred to their GP for treatment.
To date, the tool has analysed more than 1,000 patients locally, with Dr Alice Parr, cancer lead for the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB hoping that use of DERM will “help manage demand and significantly reduce the need for patients to attend hospital”.
AI: the wider trend
Back in June, the Department of Health and Social Care announced £21 million in funding for artificial intelligence technologies, intended to enable the roll-out of AI technology which, according to the announcement, will “help diagnose patients more quickly for conditions such as cancers, strokes and heart conditions”.
In August, we explored some more recent updates from across the NHS on how artificial intelligence tools are being utilised and tested for purposes including diagnosis, tackling waiting lists, and developing personalised care plans. August also saw HTN joined by expert panellists who shared their views on whether AI will live up to the current hype.
Back in July, we covered news that the University of Huddersfield is working on the development of a secure threat intelligence sharing platform with the aim of helping to protect AI-enabled diagnostic tools from cyber attacks.
We reported on the announcement of a partnership between Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and health tech startup Newton’s Tree which will see the startup’s enterprise AI platform deployed across the trust, with the aim of supporting Leeds Teaching Hospitals to “rapidly scale” its ability to evaluate and implement artificial intelligence applications.
We also covered the news that the AI Act, a legal framework seeking to address the risks of AI in Europe by setting out clear requirements and obligations in support of “trustworthy AI”, had officially entered into force.
