An artificial intelligence tool – already used by 50 NHS organisations – works by forecasting how many people are likely to need emergency care and treatment on any given day
Artificial intelligence is being used by NHS hospitals to help predict when A&Es will be busiest over the winter months.
An AI tool – already used by 50 NHS organisations – works by forecasting how many people are likely to need emergency care and treatment on any given day. The government said it will help NHS staff spot possible bottlenecks and mean shorter waits for patients during the most demanding periods.
The AI tool is trained on historic data, including Met Office weather trends, to determine how many people are likely to visit A&E. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:“AI is already improving healthcare by speeding up diagnosis and unlocking new treatments. Now we are going a step further.
“By helping to predict demand, this AI forecasting tool is getting patients the care they need faster while supporting our incredible NHS staff. That means easing pressure by ensuring the NHS is at the forefront of the latest technology during the busiest time of year.”
Ian Murray, Minister for Digital Government and Data, added: “The front door of the NHS is the A&E department. You’ve no idea how many people will come through the door, although you can have some analytical evidence that Saturday nights might be busier than a Tuesday night, for example, and the winter might be busier than the summer, unless you have a heatwave, of course.
“It helps us to pretend how busy their A&E departments are going to be.
It follows a grim period for the health service amid a surge in flu cases during the festive period. On Christmas eve new data showed hospital admissions for flu were falling for the first time this winter – but experts warned it could bounce back in the New Year.
Dr Jamie Lopez-Bernal, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, told ITV News last week: “Flu is always unpredictable, is still circulating and could bounce back even further in the new year as we have seen in past years.
“For anyone eligible who is still not vaccinated, it’s not too late to get protected for the rest of the winter, but time is running out. Nobody wants to start the new year with flu so if appointments are still available near you, please make an appointment as soon as you can as vaccination can make all the difference in preventing severe illness and hospitalisation.”