Expert comment Last updated 04 July 2023
Artificial intelligence (AI) can play a key role in easing the pressures on the NHS and is already shaping how the United Kingdom delivers healthcare, according to a leading data and AI specialist at Birmingham City University (BCU).
As the NHS celebrates its 75th anniversary, Dr Umar Daraz, Director of Innovation at BCU, said: “Artificial intelligence – together with cyber security, virtual wards, robotics, diagnostics and 5G – is transforming how the UK delivers healthcare in the NHS.
“The use of AI tools in pathology, radiology and genomics is already making a significant impact across the NHS in diagnosing conditions earlier, which means people can be treated quicker.”
AI is impacting the world in ever-increasing ways. Some experts argue that AI could lead to the extinction of humanity, while others claim its benefits are endless.
“At a time when services are under strain, it is critical that the NHS embraces AI innovation to boost capacity,” said Dr Daraz, who is also a non-executive director at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.
“All NHS staff want to give patients the best possible care. This starts with a timely diagnosis and, crucially, catching disease at the earliest point.
Dr Daraz highlighted two ways AI is helping the NHS:
- Chest X-rays are often used to diagnose lung cancer. With more than 600,000 chest X-rays performed each month in England, the large-scale deployment of diagnostic AI tools can support clinicians to diagnose cancer patients earlier, thus improving patient outcomes
- The use of AI decision-support software in the initial stages of stroke care means patients get interventions quicker, reducing the likelihood of disability.
Dr Daraz also said eight Royal College of Surgeon exemplar hubs across the UK are already deploying robotics and surgery AI routinely to undertake the following procedures:
- Surgery for prostate, bladder and kidney cancers as well as non-cancer urological procedures
- Lung cancer resections along with a robust thoracic robotic programme
- Surgery for the treatment of gynaecology cancers, including endometrial (womb) cancers
- Treatment of endometriosis
- Colorectal resections.
As Dr Daraz indicates, BCU is playing a leading role in developing AI and cutting-edge digital technology for use in health care.
Professor Adel Aneiba, BCU’s Head of College for Computing and Digital Technology, explained: “We are actively working through our AI and data research clusters with our colleagues in the Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences.
“The objective is to co-create a research and knowledge exchange strategy underpinned by research excellence and external partnerships to trial, test and implement the latest AI technology and 5G to train NHS staff, diagnose and treat patients more quickly.
“We readily understand the need to accelerate the deployment of the most promising AI imaging and decision support tools on safe, secure telecommunications platforms to help diagnose patients more quickly for conditions such as cancers, strokes, and heart conditions.
As health economies become increasingly pressured, largely driven by long-term condition challenges amongst an ageing population, Dr Daraz said there is a need to provide digital healthcare solutions away from the clinic, in the community and at home.
Wearable devices can provide a range of in-home, ‘touch-free’ assistive living options. For frail and elderly people or those who are digitally excluded, these types of devices are a lifeline.
“These assistive living solutions complement the remote monitoring solutions that the NHS is already supporting,” said Dr Daraz. “There are systems being used to support patients at home.”
NHS England’s workforce plan, announced last week, highlights the importance of digital technology, AI and cyber to the future of the NHS.
“Along with a balanced regulatory approach, this has the potential to be truly transformative, both for patients and a health and social care workforce for decades to come,” added Dr Daraz.
BCU’s growing expertise in AI and data science is reflected in its involvement in the West Midlands 6D Innovation Accelerator project, designed to ‘supercharge’ the region’s ability to drive new health and medical technologies.
In 2021/22, over 1,600 nurses and more than 450 allied health professionals were trained at BCU, making it one of the UK’s largest providers of the next generation of healthcare workers.