Hospitals across England are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to reduce pressure on accident and emergency departments, helping patients receive faster care during one of the busiest times of the year
A new AI-powered forecasting tool is now being used by 50 NHS organisations to predict when A&E departments are likely to experience peak demand, enabling staff to prepare in advance.
The AI-powered forecasting is part of the government’s wider drive to modernise public services and build an NHS fit for the future. By using data to anticipate bottlenecks before they happen, hospitals can plan staffing levels, bed availability and resources more effectively, easing strain on frontline health workers and improving patient flow.
Predicting demand before It peaks
The AI-powered forecasting tool analyses large amounts of historical and real-time data to predict how many people are likely to need emergency care on specific days. This includes information such as hospital admission trends, seasonal illness patterns, day-of-the-week pressures and even weather forecasts from the Met Office.
By identifying when demand is expected to rise, hospitals can make informed decisions days or even weeks ahead. This reduces the need for last-minute changes, helping staff feel better supported while ensuring patients are treated more quickly during busy periods.
The AI-powered forecasting tool is available to all NHS trusts in England and currently has around 170 active users each month across 50 organisations, including integrated care boards in Coventry and Warwickshire, as well as Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.
Supporting staff during a tough winter
This winter has already placed significant strain on emergency departments, with record levels of flu adding to seasonal pressures. Cold weather, icy conditions and festive activities typically increase the number of accidents and illnesses seen in A&E over the Christmas period.
More than 18 million flu vaccines have been delivered this autumn, hundreds of thousands more than at the same point last year. The AI tool, continually trained on seasonal health data, can help hospitals spot flu-related surges early and respond before wards become overwhelmed.
For NHS staff, this means clearer forecasts, better shift planning and improved use of bed space. Early feedback suggests that hospital managers find the tool valuable when making staffing and capacity decisions, helping patients move through the system more efficiently.
Part of a winter AI programme
The AI-powered forecasting system is one of many projects under the Prime Minister’s AI Exemplars programme, which focuses on practical uses of artificial intelligence to modernise public services. The programme aims to replace outdated systems with smarter, more efficient technology across healthcare, education, justice and government services.
Other AI initiatives already underway include tools to support faster medical diagnoses, AI-assisted hospital discharge summaries to help free up beds, and a new GOV.UK chatbot that allows the public to interact with government services more easily. In education, AI is also being used to help teachers save time on administrative tasks by generating lesson materials from trusted sources.
Building an NHS fit for the future
The rollout of AI-powered forecasting shows a broader shift from analogue to digital healthcare. By embracing emerging technologies, the NHS aims to improve patient outcomes, reduce waiting times and support staff during periods of intense pressure.
As more hospitals adopt AI tools like this one, patients across England could benefit from quicker treatment and a smoother experience in A&E, even during the busiest months of the year.
