£30m funding accelerates rollout of AI in the NHS

AI in the NHS is set for major expansion after the UK Government has announced nearly £30m in funding to accelerate the use of AI across healthcare services in England.

The investment will support the nationwide rollout of AI-powered diagnostic tools and fund the testing of new digital technologies designed to improve patient care and reduce pressure on NHS staff.

The largest share of the funding, £20m, will be used to extend AI-assisted chest X-ray technology to every NHS Trust in England by 2029.

The software, which helps radiologists identify abnormalities more quickly, is already being used in around half of NHS Trusts and has supported faster diagnoses for more than four million patients.

The expansion of AI in the NHS will help tackle diagnostic backlogs, shorten waiting times and ensure patients begin treatment sooner. The move forms part of a broader strategy to modernise healthcare services through digital innovation while improving productivity across the health service.

Health and Social Care Secretary, James Murray explained: “For too many patients, a cancer diagnosis tragically comes too late.

“These AI tools are already changing that – giving radiologists a sharper eye, cutting waiting times, and getting people the lifesaving treatment they need faster.

“Rolling this out to every NHS Trust in the country means millions more patients will benefit, and that is exactly the kind of change this government is determined to deliver – regardless of where you live.

“This is what shifting the NHS from analogue to digital looks like in practice. Backed by new investment to test the next generation of technology, we are building an NHS that is fit for the future – and faster for every patient who needs it.”

Nationwide rollout of AI diagnostic technology

The AI-powered chest X-ray system acts as a digital second opinion for radiologists, helping clinicians review scans more efficiently and identify potential signs of disease earlier.

The technology has been particularly effective in supporting the diagnosis of lung cancer, the UK’s leading cause of cancer-related deaths.

More than seven million chest X-rays are performed across the NHS each year. Early results suggest the AI system can significantly reduce reporting times, with scans being analysed in around four days on average compared with up to eight days for more complex cases under traditional processes.

By accelerating the interpretation of imaging results, clinicians can arrange follow-up tests sooner, helping patients move through diagnostic pathways more quickly and potentially improving treatment outcomes.

Faster access to treatment

One of the government’s key objectives is to improve performance against cancer waiting time targets.

Faster analysis of chest X-rays is expected to help more patients begin treatment within 62 days of an urgent GP referral, a benchmark outlined in national cancer care standards.

Healthcare leaders believe AI in the NHS can help address growing demand for diagnostic imaging while reducing pressure on overstretched radiology departments.

Rather than replacing healthcare professionals, the technology is intended to support decision-making and allow specialists to focus on complex clinical cases.

The benefits are already being seen by patients. Manchester resident Peter Allinson, 59, was referred for urgent assessment after experiencing severe breathlessness while walking.

Using the AI-supported chest X-ray system, clinicians were able to rapidly diagnose sarcoidosis, allowing treatment to begin within two weeks and helping prevent further progression of the condition.

Allinson highlighted the life-saving potential of the technology: “When I collapsed on that hillside, I genuinely thought my life was over. To go from that terrifying moment to having a diagnosis and being on treatment within two weeks was just remarkable.

“I’m so grateful for how quickly everything moved and for the care I received. The speed of the diagnosis made a real difference – I feel like I’ve been given my life back.”

New AI projects enter testing phase

Alongside the national X-ray programme, the government is investing a further £8.1m through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to develop and evaluate six new AI and digital health technologies.

The projects will be tested across 12 NHS Trusts and a GP partnership in England and Scotland. Researchers will examine how AI can support the analysis of CT scans, electrocardiograms (ECGs) and X-rays, while also exploring digital therapies and tools that help clinicians prioritise the most urgent cases.

If successful, the technologies could improve care for patients with conditions including heart failure, stroke, lung infections, lung cancer and tic disorders.

Building the future of AI in the NHS

The funding is part of the government’s AI Diagnostic Fund and the Prime Minister’s AI Exemplars programme, which aims to expand the use of artificial intelligence across public services.

In parallel, the NIHR has launched its Innovation Catalyst initiative to support promising research in medical technology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and digital health.

The programme is designed to help innovative products progress through regulatory approval and move closer to adoption across the NHS.

Together, these initiatives signal a long-term commitment to making AI in the NHS a central part of healthcare delivery.

By improving diagnostic speed, supporting clinical staff and reducing treatment delays, policymakers hope artificial intelligence can play a significant role in creating a more efficient and responsive health service for millions of patients.