Govt pledges £20m to roll out AI X-ray tools across NHS by 2029

The government has announced £20 million of funding to expand AI chest X-ray tools to every NHS trust in England by 2029, aiming to speed up suspected lung cancer diagnosis and follow-up care.

The technology, which is already available in half of England’s NHS trusts, acts as a virtual ‘second pair of eyes’ for radiologists. It has been used to support the assessment of more than four million patients undergoing investigation for lung cancer.

It supports clinicians in analysing chest X-rays more quickly, helping identify potential lung cancer cases sooner and accelerating access to follow-up tests and treatment.

James Murray, health secretary, said: “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.”

Early data shows the technology helps radiologists analyse scans in an average of just four days, compared to eight days for the most complex cases previously.

Chest X-rays play an important role in diagnosing lung cancer, England’s biggest cancer killer, with over seven million performed across the NHS each year.

By cutting the time it takes to analyse them, the tools are expected to help more patients begin treatment within 62 days of a GP referral. This is in line with cancer waiting time standards and a key commitment set out in the National Cancer Plan.

This funding forms part of the AI Diagnostic Fund, a key component of the prime minister’s AI Exemplars programme, which supports the testing and deployment of AI technologies in public services.

Six AI and digital technologies will also be developed and tested at 12 NHS trusts and one GP partnership across England and Scotland. This will be backed by £8.1 million of government funding through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

The technologies will support NHS staff to analyse CT scans, ECGs and X-rays, offer digital therapy, and identify the most urgent cases for prioritisation.

The government says the technologies could help speed up diagnosis and treatment for patients with heart failure, stroke, lung cancer, lung infections and tic disorders.

The studies will evaluate the impact of the technologies on patient outcomes and NHS productivity. Technologies that prove effective will be rolled out more widely across the NHS, following the same path as the AI X-ray tools.

Professor Lucy Chappell, chief scientific adviser to the Department of Health and Social Care and chief executive of the NIHR, said: “By backing these six digital research projects, the NIHR is helping to drive the fundamental shift from an analogue to a digital health service and deliver the government’s 10 year health plan.

“This important investment in AI and innovation will cut NHS waiting times, fast-tracking diagnoses and ensuring patients receive more accessible, efficient, and high-quality care.”