Hospitals across England are turning to artificial intelligence to manage unprecedented winter pressures and reduce long waits in accident and emergency departments.
AI Predicts Patient Surges Before They Happen
The innovative tool, part of a government-backed initiative known as the AI exemplars programme, is now active in 50 NHS organisations. It analyses a complex mix of data, including current hospital admissions, historical patterns, weekly trends, and even temperature forecasts from the Met Office. This allows it to identify likely peak periods for patient demand.
Rather than reacting to last-minute crises, hospital managers can use these forecasts to proactively adjust staffing levels and bed allocation. This shift is crucial during a winter that has already seen record numbers of flu cases, compounding the usual seasonal strains on the health service.
Health innovation minister Dr Zubir Ahmed stated: "The AI revolution is here and we are arming our NHS staff with the latest technology to help slash A&E waits for patients this busy winter period." He added that such innovations are vital to manage the "tidal wave of flu" and help hospitals prioritise resources effectively.
Boosting Efficiency Across the Health Service
The A&E forecasting system is just one element of a wider AI strategy being rolled out within the National Health Service. Other significant projects include:
- AI Diagnostics: Assisting clinicians in detecting serious conditions like lung cancer at earlier stages.
- AI-assisted discharge summaries: Speeding up the process for patients to leave hospital safely, while ensuring medical professionals retain final approval.
- AI-powered chat services: Trials, such as on GOV.UK, aim to improve public access to accurate health information.
Tech Secretary Liz Kendall emphasised the tool's role in supporting staff and patients: "By helping to predict demand, this AI forecasting tool is getting patients the care they need faster while supporting our incredible NHS staff."
Preventative Care and Freeing Up Hospital Beds
The application of AI extends beyond hospital walls into preventative and social care. Home care provider Cera, which delivers around 2.5 million visits monthly, uses AI algorithms to predict which patients are at high risk of deterioration. This enables early intervention to prevent avoidable hospital admissions.
Dr Ben Maruthappu, Cera's chief executive, explained: "Investing more in AI-driven care can also help to accelerate hospital discharges – freeing up beds by arranging faster, safer care at home."
Meanwhile, early results from trials of an AI scribe system called Tortus at nine NHS sites in London are promising. The technology has been shown to increase clinician-patient interaction time by 23.5% and reduce appointment durations by 8.2%. In A&E settings at St George's University Hospital, the tool helped staff see 13.4% more patients per shift and halved the time taken to complete initial patient notes, according to consultant Dr Ahmed Mahdi.
With over 18 million flu vaccines already delivered this autumn, the NHS is leveraging every available tool, including advanced AI, to navigate one of its most challenging seasons.
