Bolton NHS Foundation Trust will use new AI (artificial intelligence) technology that will help doctors to detect diseases, including lung cancer, and relay the information in as little as under a minute.
It will see an AI-powered chest X-ray decision-support system used to read chest X-rays, with the tool able to detect up to 124 findings on chest radiographs.
The new technology is being rolled out at seven NHS Trusts across Greater Manchester as part of a partnership between Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, Greater Manchester Imaging Network and global health tech firm Annalise.ai.
When the chest X-ray solution identifies potential lung cancer cases, the information is relayed to the reporting medical provider in under a minute.
The need to detect cancer more quickly is particularly urgent in Greater Manchester, where lung cancer rates sit at 24 per cent above the national average and life expectancy is lower than in England as a whole.
Integrating the Annalise.ai solution through Sectra Imaging – a leading imaging IT provider to health systems worldwide – across all seven Trusts within the Greater Manchester Imaging Network, will allow a comprehensive evaluation of this technology across the region, which has a population of 2.8 million people.
The technology is being funded by from the Artificial Intelligence Diagnostics Fund (AIDF).
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The project forms part of a wider programme of work being led by the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, with the aim of improving cancer outcomes and experiences for the population of Greater Manchester.
Dr. Jo Balmer, Consultant Radiologist at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:” We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to help us detect diseases, such as lung cancer, much sooner for patients to improve health outcomes for communities in Bolton.
“When it comes to cancer, we know all too well how important it is that we’re able to make a diagnosis as soon as possible, and using Annalise.ai and other new technologies will play an integral part in getting patients to potentially lifesaving treatments sooner.”
Andy Burnham as Mayor of Greater Manchester and co-chair, Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership, said: “We know we have higher rates of lung cancer in Greater Manchester than elsewhere in the country, so I’m delighted to see this new partnership which we hope will help to get treatment to people sooner.
“I’m glad to see Greater Manchester leading the way in this area.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “When I was diagnosed with cancer, a world-class surgeon equipped with a robot helped save my life – showcasing the very best of our NHS.
“Breakthroughs like this AI tool will help to save lives across the country, speeding up diagnosis so that doctors can provide the best possible treatments to patients sooner.
“As part of our 10 Year Health Plan, I am determined that we embrace this kind of innovation and shift the health service from analogue to digital, so more patients can get their lives back.”
Got a story? Email me at Leah.Collins@newsquest.co.uk
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