Hazel Jones, head of health, Made Tech, examines what the NHS needs to do if it’s to fully maximise the advantages of AI.
The digital evolution of the NHS is progressing at an increasing rate. New solutions are being implemented to replace outdated legacy systems as well as provide new treatments and support for staff and patients.
This drive for digitisation in the NHS only looks set to continue, as seen last year when the Crown Commercial Service launched an £800 million tender for the provision of digital solutions for NHS Digital and social care.
We’ve seen the rise of solutions such as online consultation platforms and wellbeing software in recent times, but what future technologies are we likely to see come to prominence?
One of the biggest innovations that is coming to the forefront of healthcare is artificial intelligence (AI). We’ve already seen AI starting to make its way into the NHS. The government recently announced that an AI imaging database will be put in place to improve diagnosis of patients presenting with COVID-19 symptoms, with health secretary Matt Hancock saying AI is beginning to make the NHS “more predictive, preventive and personalised.”
AI has already had a huge impact on the digital transformation of other sectors such as finance and pharmaceuticals, so it's great to see its impact starting to be felt within healthcare. However, as we look forward, the use of AI is going to throw up challenges that need to be addressed if the NHS is going to make the most of it.
Traditionally, when trusts look to implement digital solutions, platforms will be put through rigorous trials and testing to ensure they can be used safely and effectively. However, AI platforms are not static solutions, they are designed to use information to learn and evolve how they operate. This means you can’t simply test AI solutions like other technologies as the way they function can change depending on the data they receive and the circumstances in which they are used. Ensuring these constantly evolving technologies are consistently working to the benefit of patients is vital, but easier said than done. The NHS needs to find an efficient way to do this if it is to embrace AI going forward.
To fully utilise AI, systems require large amounts of data to be able to analyse information and make decisions. Patients’ medical histories are deeply personal and something they may not be comfortable sharing with companies or platforms. At the same time, the NHS doesn't have regulations in place on how patient data is used with regards to AI, blurring the line between the ethical and unethical use of patient data. An AI Code of Conduct was published by NHS England in 2019, but this focuses on engaging ethical suppliers via a voluntary code. An update to the code would be a timely endeavour, with best practice guidelines being put in place to enable NHS technologists and digital partners to confront and relate to the concerns around ethics and relevant health and care use cases.
As well as this, the NHS is already facing challenges when it comes to digitally upskilling its staff and creating and filling new, technology focussed roles. If AI is going to be a part of the NHS’s digital future, it needs to ensure staff are brought in who can effectively manage these platforms, while at the same time empower current employees with knowledge of how AI technologies work and how to use them to their patients’ benefit.
These challenges are not insurmountable and developers can play a key role in preparing the NHS for its AI revolution. When implementing solutions, providers shouldn’t just come in, install a platform and then leave. They need to be working with trusts and their clinical and technical teams to develop their understanding of the technologies being put in place, bringing clinical expertise and regulatory concerns into the ideation process, guiding and sharing the technical ‘art of the possible’ during this process so that NHS teams can apply the health governance nuances to technology solutions. This way, the department will have a greater understanding of who and what it needs to use these tools, while staff will understand how to use platforms safely and effectively.
From a regulation and legislative standpoint, providers need to be sharing their knowledge with the NHS, guiding decision makers on how AI can be used ethically and to the benefit of patients. This collaboration of ‘Health Technology’ will guarantee rules are in place to ensure best practice, while at the same time speed up adoption as there is greater understanding of AI and its benefits.
AI is one of the most exciting developments in recent times and could create huge benefits to our healthcare system going forward. If the NHS is to make the most of these technologies, it needs to act now by training and upskilling staff and implementing regulations so AI is being used ethically and with patient safety at the forefront. Through collaboration with digital providers, the NHS can create a clear path to a bright, AI enhanced future.
