NHS Scotland using Artificial intelligence (AI) to diagnose: FOI release

Information requested

Does NHS Scotland use AI to diagnose any conditions? If yes, please provide details.

Response

Your request has been treated as a Freedom of Information request. This means we have taken time to search across relevant Scottish Government policy areas and officials for relevant information and documentation that would be relevant to your query.

The simple answer to your question is yes, NHS Scotland is using AI to diagnose conditions. We have assessed that this query would breach the maximum cost for provision of the documents that would be relevant to your request. It should also be noted that as your request is related to NHS Scotland, much of the information will be more widely available from contacting Health Boards directly. The following information has been provided to help with your query despite reaching the upper cost limit and we hope that you find this helpful.

Scotland’s first Data Strategy for Health and Social Care was published in 2023. This aims to bring forward a framework of appropriate guidance, support, standards and regulations for the ethical and safe deployment of AI based developments within the health and social care sector. Overall governance of the national approach to AI in health and social care sits with the Data Board for Health and Social Care (see https://www.gov.scot/groups/health-and-social-care-data-board/).

AI developments in Scotland are predominantly being taken forward through the Regional Innovation Hubs. Whilst AI activity is taking place, its often small in scale or research focused rather than having been adopted Scotland wide or as part of service delivery. Developments are taking place across a range of specialties including lung and breast cancer, heart attacks, respiratory, CCE/Colorectal, medical imaging and radiology. The use of AI to support the prioritisation of high-risk images related to lung cancer to accelerate diagnosis and help reduce late-stage presentation of the disease is currently under consideration for national adoption.

Some key links to latest information has been included below:

• Artificial Intelligence and Healthcare in Scotland | Scottish Parliament
• NHS Scotland (please note this article does not cover all AI tools in use in NHS Scotland - In charts: Scotland's NHS and AI - The Ferret.
• NHS Lothian - UK’s first AI physio clinic trialled by NHS Lothian – The NEN – North Edinburgh News
• Scotlands_AI_Strategy_Web_updated_single_page_aps.pdf (squarespace.com)
• Paediatric Bone Health using BoneXpert
• Artificial Intelligence – Scottish Radiology Transformation Programme
• Healthcare 'decision support programme' will feature AI tools | FutureScot
• AI and Data Driven Innovation - Life Sciences Scotland
• Artificial intelligence revolutionising NHS stroke care - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• State-of-the-art AI scanner benefits patients at NHS Golden Jubilee :: NHS Golden Jubilee
• AI can cut waiting times for hip replacement surgery, Aberdeen study shows | FutureScot

We continue to work across the devolved nations to look at opportunities for the safe and ethical deployment of AI.

I hope that you find this respond to be helpful. However, please let me know at your earliest convenience whether there is anything more specific that I can look into for you.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.