All 107 stroke centres in England using AI technology, says NHSE

The 107 stroke centres in England are all now utilising AI technology, Darrien Bold, head of elective care at NHS England, has confirmed. 

In a blog post published on 5 December 2024, Bold said: “I am delighted to state that as of late 2024, every stroke centre in England (107 sites in total) is now utilising the technology, meaning AI is already playing an important role in improving the care of around 80,000 people who have a stroke in England every year.”

He added that early-stage analysis of the technology has shown it can reduce the time between someone presenting with a stroke and receiving treatment by more than 60 minutes.

AI is also associated with a tripling in the number of stroke patients recovering with no or only slight disability, defined as achieving functional independence, from 16% to 48%, Bold said.

The AI software reduces the time it takes to process and interpret brain scans, supporting clinicians to make faster treatment decisions, which in turn enables patients to receive potentially lifesaving treatment earlier, improving their chances of a better outcome.

“Lord Darzi wrote in his recent report on the current state of the NHS that ‘there must be a major tilt to technology to unlock productivity’.

“In times of unprecedented pressure, the stroke community has transformed frontline care to improve both patient outcomes and efficiency.

“We must continue to be flexible and innovative, and to prioritise the quality and safety of care,” Bold said.

In October 2024, Digital Health News reported that Clinicians at Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust are using AI technology from University of Oxford spin-out Brainomix, to deliver faster and more accurate diagnoses of strokes.

AI algorithms used by the Brainomix e-Stroke system, which was introduced at the trust in July 2024, help interpret CT scans, providing real-time information for hospital staff and assisting doctors in making informed decisions about patient care.

Brainomix was endorsed by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence in February 2024, which acknowledged the impact it can have on clinical decision-making for stroke patients.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust also implemented new AI software in April 2024 that is helping to save the lives of stroke patients by analysing brain images.

The RapidAI software analyses brain images to help clinicians decide whether a patient requires an operation or medication to remove a blood clot.