A new framework agreement for artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is being planned by NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS).
The framework, called the Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Solutions, will replace the AI Software in Neuroscience for Stroke Decision Support and AI Imaging and Radiotherapy Equipment, Associated Products and Diagnostic Imaging frameworks, which are both due to expire in September 2025.
Though still under development, the new framework is set to be split into six ‘lots’, including radiology and diagnostic imaging, predictive analytics and operational efficiency. These are provisionally:
Lot 1: Radiology and diagnostic imaging
Early detection and diagnostic through data analysis and medical imaging for radiology and diagnostic imaging such as neurology, oncology, cardiology, urology and ophthalmology.
Lot 2: Pathological diagnosis and early detection
Early detection and diagnostic through data analysis and medical imaging for pathology such as haematology, virology and dermatology.
Lot 3: Predictive analytics
Solutions that improve patient flow and experience by making well informed decisions based on health records (system interoperability), hospital admissions and discharge and patient appointments.
Lot 4: Research and development
Applications to support cross institution collaboration and research such as drug discovery and clinical trials.
Lot 5: Operational efficiency
Solutions to optimise clinical workflow such as resource management and supply chain management.
Lot 6: Specialist support
AI specialist support such as consultancy, implementation and training.
Those with an interest in AI or who are looking to implement it in the future have been asked to contribute to the framework agreement by the NHS SBS, which provides business support services to the NHS in England.
Kelly Bevington, senior category manager for digital and IT at NHS SBS, said: ‘AI has the potential to transform NHS patient care, speeding up diagnosis and treatment times by ensuring that expert clinical resource is targeted where it has the greatest impact for the patient.
‘Our new framework agreement will focus on the application of AI in different specialities by providing new efficient ways to prevent, diagnose, treat illness and optimise clinical workflow.’
It comes after it was announced that AI will be used to help detect breast cancer in 30 sites across the England as part of a new trial to test how AI tools can be used to help early diagnosis.
The Government has also set out a new AI action plan this year, to try and help the public sector spend less time on admin and more on delivering services. While health secretary Wes Streeting has previously said that shifting from analogue to digital is the priority within this parliament.
Last year, three quarters of the public reported supporting the sharing of their personal health data to aid the development of AI systems in the NHS.
A version of this article was originally published by our sister publication Healthcare Leader.
