Chris Whitehouse, a political consultant and expert on medical technology policy and regulation at Whitehouse Communications, and advisor to MedTech suppliers, reports on a new national platform set to transform AI research in NHS screening services.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England have announced the development of a pioneering digital platform that will allow artificial intelligence (AI) tools to be tested at unprecedented scale across NHS screening programmes, with the aim of accelerating diagnosis and improving patient outcomes.
Backed by nearly 6 million GBP in government funding and expected to be rolled out for research use by 2027, the AI Research Screening Platform (AIR-SP) will enable multiple NHS trusts to participate simultaneously in large-scale AI trials. This represents a significant shift from the current approach, where trials are often delayed due to fragmented IT infrastructure.
The platform is a central part of the government’s Plan for Change, aimed at moving the NHS from analogue to digital while driving investment and economic growth. By creating a single cloud platform connected to all NHS trusts, the system will allow multiple AI tools to be trialled in one shared environment, cutting down the time and costs associated with rolling out AI research studies across the healthcare service.
The first major use of AIR-SP will support a landmark National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)-funded trial involving nearly 700,000 women. The study will assess AI tools designed to detect abnormalities in breast tissue, with the objective of enabling earlier diagnosis and intervention for breast cancer.
This initiative represents a pivotal advance in integrating AI into real-world healthcare. By simplifying research infrastructure across NHS trusts, the platform has the potential not only to significantly accelerate the development and adoption of effective technologies – enabling faster diagnosis and access to treatment – but also to position the UK as a more attractive environment for MedTech investors, reinforcing its role as a leader in the global healthcare market.
The Author used AI in preparing this article, comments upon, or questions about which can be addressed to chris.whitehouse@whitehousecomms.com.
