A new Cloud-Based Platform is set to change the way the NHS treat early diagnosis
Millions of patients across the UK could start to benefit from faster diagnoses and treatment as the NHS prepares to test artificial intelligence (AI) screening tools at a vast scale.
A new nationwide cloud platform, called the AI Research Screening Platform (AIR-SP), is being developed to accelerate the deployment of AI in NHS screening services.
The initiative, backed by nearly £6 million in government funding, aims to revolutionise how AI tools are tested and used in healthcare, significantly reducing the time and cost it currently takes to trial such technologies across multiple NHS trusts.
Addressing a long-standing issue
Until now, most AI screening tools have remained in the pilot stage, with only 10% progressing beyond initial trials. One of the main obstacles has been the lack of a unified digital infrastructure. Each NHS trust must independently set up its own temporary IT systems and databases to conduct trials, even if another trust has already approved and tested the same AI tool.
This duplication has created a slow and expensive process; some multisite research studies cost up to £3.5 million to set up. The new platform will eliminate this redundancy by offering a secure, shared environment where AI tools can be deployed and tested simultaneously across multiple trusts
A cloud system built for collaboration
The AIR-SP platform will be built by NHS England over the next two years and is expected to be fully operational for research purposes by 2027. Once implemented, it will serve as a central hub that securely connects NHS trusts across the UK, enabling healthcare providers to access and evaluate multiple AI screening tools in one location.
This is part of the UK government’s wider plan to modernise the NHS and shift from analogue to digital care. The platform is expected to save between £2 million and £3 million for every multisite AI study, making it a cost-effective solution that will also boost the speed of clinical research.
Initial focus: Breast cancer detection
The first major use of the new system will be in a large-scale breast cancer screening study involving nearly 700,000 women. Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the study will utilise AI to analyse breast tissue images for signs of cancer, referring individuals for early investigation and treatment as necessary.
Breast cancer screening is already estimated to save around 1,300 lives each year in the UK. By improving accuracy and speeding up the detection process, the AIR-SR platform could help save even more lives in the future.
The future potential of AI screening
While the initial focus is on breast cancer detection, the platform is being designed to accommodate a wide range of AI tools for other types of screenings as well. This includes the potential to support early detection of other serious illnesses and improve productivity within the NHS by reducing the administrative burden on staff.
The project is also aligned with the government’s commitment to invest in innovative healthcare technologies and maintain the UK’s leadership in AI and medical research.
Once operational, AIR-SP is expected to have a huge role in modernising the NHS and ensuring that patients benefit from the latest medical advancements more quickly and efficiently than ever before.
