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Can AI Help Fix the NHS? (An Interview with the Former NHS AI Lead)

  • Writer: Kieren Sharma
    Kieren Sharma
  • Aug 30, 2024
  • 3 min read

Updated: Feb 28

In this episode, we delved into a critical question: can AI help fix the UK's National Health Service (NHS)? We were excited to welcome our first-ever guest, Dr. Hatim Abdulhussein, a leading figure in AI innovation within the NHS. Hatim is the former national clinical lead on AI within NHS England, now on the board of the NHS AI lab, and CEO of Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex. In addition to all of that, he is also a practising GP, offering a unique perspective to this important discussion.






 

The NHS: Challenges and the Promise of AI

The NHS is facing significant challenges, with over 7 million patients on waiting lists and around 100,000 staff vacancies. The UK public widely feels that the NHS is struggling. The newly-elected Labour Party has pledged to build an NHS “fit for the future", and AI is seen as a key part of that. Key goals include cutting waiting times, increasing appointments, doubling cancer scanners, and recruiting more mental health staff.


Hatim explained that the increasing and ageing population will likely lead to an imbalance between people needing care and the workforce available to care for them. He believes that technology is essential to address these challenges.


How AI Can Help

AI has the potential to transform many aspects of the NHS. Hatim highlighted several key areas:


  • Triage: AI can help manage patient flow, ensuring people see the right professional at the right time. This can lead to longer GP appointments and quicker responses for patients.

  • Cancer Care: AI can speed up processes related to cancer diagnosis and treatment, including imaging and treatment planning.

  • Administrative Tasks: AI can automate tasks like note-taking and referrals. This can save time for healthcare professionals, allowing them to focus on patient care.

  • Decision Support: AI tools can provide clinicians with information and suggestions during consultations. This can augment human capability and capacity.

  • Improved Efficiency: AI can lead to a happier, less stressed, and less burnt-out workforce.


The Importance of People and Process

While the potential of AI is huge, Hatim stressed that technology alone is not the answer. The success of AI in healthcare depends on aligning people and processes with the technology. He emphasised that the human element is critical in healthcare and that AI should augment human capability and not replace it. He noted that the public generally wants more access to healthcare professionals.


 

Near-Term Reality of AI

Hatim clarified that AI will not be making diagnoses autonomously any time soon. The focus is on using AI to assist and augment human decision-making. AI tools can provide suggestions, but the final decisions will be made by clinicians in partnership with patients.

Addressing Bias

One of the biggest concerns around AI is bias. Hatim emphasised that AI systems can perpetuate existing inequalities if not carefully developed and implemented. To address this, it's essential to use diverse data sets and to be aware of bias at all stages of the AI lifecycle. This includes checking for bias during procurement, implementation, and use.


Public Engagement and Education

It's important for the public to understand how AI is being used in healthcare. Hatim advised that people should engage with groups involved in AI decisions and familiarise themselves with the basics of the technology. He suggested that seeing how AI can be practically applied helps people feel more confident about the technology.


 

The Future of Healthcare

Hatim envisions a future of healthcare that is fair, rational, and tailored to the individual. It will utilise a range of technologies including AI, genomics, biosensors, and the internet of things. This more holistic approach would enable earlier disease prediction and prevention, with care delivered in communities. He stressed the importance of using technology to allow healthcare professionals to focus on the patient and the relationship.


Key Takeaways


  • AI has the potential to help address some of the most pressing challenges facing the NHS.

  • AI should augment the work of healthcare professionals, not replace them.

  • It’s vital to address bias and ensure AI is used ethically and equitably.

  • The public needs to be educated and involved in the discussion about the use of AI in healthcare.


Looking Ahead

We are excited to see what the future holds for AI in healthcare and we thank Dr. Hatim Abdulhussein for sharing his expertise with us.


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