Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a £15 million funding boost to accelerate cancer diagnosis in NHS radiotherapy departments in England through AI technology. The new AI system can identify cancer cells faster than doctors, enhancing treatment efficiency and improving outcomes for thousands of patients annually amid public concerns over NHS performance.
New AI Technology Set to Revolutionize Cancer Detection in NHS
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a £15 million funding boost aimed at accelerating cancer diagnosis through AI technology within NHS radiotherapy departments in England. This funding will help reduce waiting times and enhance treatment speed and efficiency. The new AI system can identify cancer cells 2.5 times faster than doctors by automatically analyzing CT and MRI scans, distinguishing cancerous cells from healthy tissues to minimize damage to healthy organs during radiation treatment. Trained health workers will review AI-generated reports before initiating treatment, benefiting tens of thousands of patients annually.
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins highlighted that AI is making the healthcare system faster and more accessible. NHS England and charity representatives applauded the investment, emphasizing its potential to cut waiting lists and improve cancer treatment outcomes.
This initiative comes amid significant public concern over NHS performance and long waiting lists, with both major political parties outlining their strategies to address these challenges ahead of the general election on July 4.
