RCR response to the announcement of an AI Diagnostics Fund

Responding to the Government’s announcement of a £21m AI Diagnostics Fund, Dr Katharine Halliday, President of the Royal College of Radiologists, said:

“At a time when diagnostic services are under strain, it is critical that we embrace innovation that could boost capacity – and so we welcome the Government’s announcement of a £21 million fund to purchase and deploy AI diagnostic tools.

“We know from our engagement with NHS leaders and AI companies that funding has been a major barrier to implementing diagnostic AI, and so we’ve been calling on the Government to release a fund like this. We’re pleased to see they’ve listened.

“All doctors want to give patients the best possible care. This starts with a timely diagnosis, and crucially, catching disease at the earliest point. There is huge promise in AI, which could save clinicians time by maximising our efficiency, supporting our decision-making and helping identify and prioritise the most urgent cases. Together with a highly trained and expert radiologist workforce, AI will undoubtedly play a significant part in the future of diagnostics.”