The back office services systems for the NHS has issued a tender for £150m to cover the use of AI to improve the efficiency of diagnosis.

The NHS Shared Business Service says that their current AI offerings are set to expire, prompting the body to bring together their previous framework agreements into a singular “comprehensive offering.”

Previous AI offerings from the NHS Shared Business Service included AI software for neuroscience for stroke decision support, and imaging and radiotherapy equipment and diagnostic imaging empowered by AI.

The new framework agreement will focus how AI can be applied to different specialities, empowered by new efficient ways to optimise clinical workflow along diagnoses, prevention, and treatment.

AI can help with a number of tasks, Bevington explained, ranging from improving the accuracy of diagnosis and helping with preventative care through faster screenings, to resource management, efficient treatment planning, and specialised support for organisations adopting smart technology.

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The new framework agreement will be initially split into six lots depending on AI’s prospective application:

Lot 1. Radiology and diagnostic imaging will be the first lot, where early detection and diagnostic will be achieved through data analysis and medical imaging across neurology, oncology, cardiology, urology, and ophthalmology.

Lot 2. Similarly, the second lot will focus on early detection and diagnostic through data analysis and medical imaging, this time focusing on pathology such as dermatology, haematology, and virology.

Lot 3. This lot will focus on using predictive analysis to improve management, such as patient flow and experience, hospital admissions and discharges, and patient appointments by using health data.

Lot 4. Research and development, including cross-institution collaboration, will be supported, possibly in  drug discovery and clinical trials.

Lot 5. Clinical workflow optimisation will also be enhanced with AI, as well as supply chain management.

Lot 6. Specialist support, such as training, consultancy, and implementation will also be boosted by Ai.

“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,” Kelly Bevington, senior category manager of digital and IT at NHS Shared Business Service said in a blog post about the new offering.