Support for Innovation and AI Key to NHS Productivity, says IPEM in key consultation response

IPEM has called for more dedicated support for the safe and effective rollout of AI, including appropriately trained staff, in its response to an important consultation on NHS productivity.

The Health Foundation consultation, on behalf of the NHS, sought input on reforms to boost NHS productivity. IPEM highlighted the importance of innovation and supporting staff in developing and implementing AI safely and effectively.

In its submission, IPEM recommended the following reforms:

• Create a national end-to-end pipeline for evaluation, procurement and lifecycle monitoring of AI in imaging and radiotherapy;
• Fund Trust-level multi-professional AI deployment teams with protected time, supported by funded ICS/regional AI teams, to ensure safe and effective deployment that focuses on addressing local challenges;
• Establish a national AI education, accreditation and role framework for imaging, radiotherapy and clinical engineering.

IPEM Chief Executive, Gill Collinson, said:

“Innovation and AI are vital to future of the NHS, but boosting  productivity requires proper support, not just fore the technology itself, but vitally for the people who develop, implement, quality assure and audit it.

Creating dedicated teams, with protected time, would be an important step forward. At IPEM, we have long  highlighted that there are not enough Scientists and Engineers to do this vital work, and those we do have lack  the protected time needed to ensure that other clinical services don’t suffer.”

IPEM President, Mark Knight, commented:

“The dedicated professionals we have, and need more of, require proper training and support. This is a crucial part of their job, not an add on.

There are already examples around the country of where the reforms that we are advocating are working and could be scaled up to embrace AI for the good of improving NHS efficiency to reduce waiting times and waiting lists.”

Gill Collinson added:

“As always, IPEM stands ready to work with the NHS and other partners to put these reforms into practice. Our expert membership is ideally placed to be at the heart of these initiatives and should be involved, recognised and supported as the highly skilled, specialist and dedicated professionals that they are.”