UHL and UHN partner with Microsoft to develop AI solutions

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group (UHN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft to formalise a partnership to develop AI healthcare solutions.

The agreement includes incorporating AI into how the NHS group delivers clinical care, administers care and transforms support services across its organisations.

Richard Mitchell, chief executive of UHL and UHN, said: “This new commitment reflects our determination to harness AI to benefit patient care and provide cutting-edge tools and support for colleagues.

“We have a bold ambition: by the end of 2027, no time should be spent on a task where a digital or AI solution could do it better, more quickly or to the same standard.

“This is about creating time for what matters most – caring for our patients.”

The partnership will also open the way to integrate AI into UHL and UHNs’ electronic patient record and other core services, with the aim of supporting staff with the information they need.

Announcing the partnership in a LinkedIn post, Will Monoghan, group chief digital information officer at UHL and UHN, said: “As Richard Mitchell, our chief executive, noted during the signing: this commitment reflects our determination to provide cutting-edge tools and support for colleagues whilst maintaining our focus on patient care.

“Proud to be part of an organisation that’s leading the way in exploring how to use AI safely and effectively in healthcare.

“Looking forward to working with Microsoft to build on our position as an exemplar site for implementing first-of-type systems.”

Commenting on the partnership, Jacob West, managing director, healthcare and life sciences at Microsoft UK, said: “We are delighted to be working with University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and University Hospitals of Northampton NHS Trust Group to further explore how AI technologies can transform healthcare delivery.

“This technology has the power to completely reimagine the patient and clinician experience, and we look forward to working together to reduce administrative burden, put more information in the hands of clinicians and ultimately give back more time to care.”

Meanwhile, in February 2024, UHL went live with an AI-powered chest x-ray solution, as part of the multi-NHS site LungIMPACT research study.

The trust is using Qure.ai’s qXR AI which is integrated into the Radiology Information System from Magentus. As part of the LungIMPACT study, it is reviewing around 100-150 GP-referred x-rays every day to identify and triage the presence of potential lung abnormalities.