The NHS cannot embrace AI until its core IT systems are up and running

The NHS will struggle to embrace technological advances in areas such as AI because its core systems are too slow and “horribly unfriendly”, according to one of the UK’s leading scientists.

Professor Sir Martin Landray, co-founder of the UK Recovery case which has saved thousands of lives during the Covid pandemic, said it was “very frustrating” that the health service was so late to other industries such as banking and entertainment in its use. of data and technology.

The use of technology in the health service was a key part of Ara Darzi’s review of the NHS last week, which will form the basis of the 10-year reform plans for the Work. Lord Darzi said the NHS was less productive than it could be, and part of the solution would be to “be technologically oriented” by investing in IT systems, particularly services. community rather than acute hospitals.

“Mr. Darzi correctly points out the potential for increased productivity and quality of care,” Landray said last week. “But head-scratching technologies like AI, patient portals and digital support services require reliable, secure and well-connected data. [and the basic systems to store and manage it].”

He added: “Currently, the basics of clinical and office processes are slow, unreliable and user-friendly, adding cost, time and confusion. Meanwhile, data is in silos – hospital by hospital, GP surgery by GP surgery, with little, if any, central mental health or social care.

“For many years, the possibilities of technology and the abundance of fundamentals have been discussed – yet both as an NHS practitioner and a researcher it is very confusing to see how far behind the NHS is in areas such as banking , business, and the entertainment industry.”

In conversation with The Times on Saturday, Darzi pointed out that only 1% of GP appointments are controlled by the NHS program, although 80% of people in England are registered in it.

“If a bank had 80% of its customers on its app, it would not be happy if only 1% of them could access their current account,” he said.

The NHS is trying to find ways to integrate data and create a shared data platform, a seven-year £330m project that has faced opposition after the contract was awarded to Palantir, a US firm founded by Billionaire Peter Thiel who works. close to the CIA.

Darzi said in his report that other parts of the health service are making good use of the technology, with 56% of NHS trusts already using AI tools to analyze X-rays and other equipment.

“From the discovery of new treatments to new tests and biomarkers to behavioral interventions, there are many ways in which health services can see dramatic change,” he wrote. .”

Layla McCay, director of policy at the NHS Confederation, said some NHS organizations were already providing “state-of-the-art treatment” to patients.

“But not all healthcare organizations are at the same level of digital growth, and some are lagging behind due to the urgent need for investment and support,” he added, adding that technological change “can it’s the cheapest”. “Some of it replaces old equipment, and NHS staff records have to wait a very long time for the computers to start or manage,” said McCay. “But despite the importance of digital infrastructure there has been a lack of focus on the skills and abilities to use and manage technology. The latest digital and technological innovations will benefit patients and increase productivity if staff are properly trained and confident to use them.”