THE NHS must make greater use of artificial intelligence (AI) to meet rising demand and reduce waiting times, the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) argued today.

In a speech at the RCR and NHS England Global AI Conference, college president Dr Katharine Halliday called for Britain to “urgently embrace” the rollout of AI.

Currently, the sector is already 30 per cent understaffed and radiologists are projected to have a 40 per cent shortfall by 2028.

The college warned that staffing was the “main factor” behind a “persistent failure” to meet cancer waiting-time targets and delays in reporting results.

In the first half of last year, the reporting of more than 420,000 scans took longer than a month, in breach of the NHS target, the college revealed.

Dr Halliday said: “With demand only set to rise, we will not cope unless we harness the power of AI and new technology.

“AI could revolutionise healthcare, boosting productivity, speeding up diagnoses and freeing up doctors’ time to focus on patients.

“But if we get this wrong, it could put patients at risk, waste doctors’ time and drain public funds.”

A 2023 survey by the RCR found that 54 per cent of radiology departments were already using AI, a figure expected to have grown since then.

Consultant radiologist Dr Jacky Davis of Keep Our NHS Public said the work of radiologists had “increased exponentially over recent years,” adding: “AI will help as an aid to radiologists, but it cannot and will never replace them.

“It is imperative that we staff imaging departments adequately and that there is no delay in reporting.

“Delays mean patients having to wait for treatment and hospital beds [being] unnecessarily occupied. Training and employing more radiologists is the only answer.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said AI would be a “catalyst for radically transforming” the NHS, by helping to cut waiting times and improve patient care.

Unison policy officer Kate Jones said: “AI undoubtedly has the potential to improve things in the NHS. However, it is not a magic bullet to fix all the health service’s problems. Ministers still need to fix the underlying issues like underfunding, staff shortages and outsourcing.

“AI in public services must be managed carefully and responsibly. That means staff input and consultation when introducing and using any AI in the NHS. Health workers have valuable expertise and insight that must be listened to.”