The NHS should get quicker access to the latest AI tools, thanks to a new National Commission that has been tasked with advising the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on how to re-write the regulatory rulebook on AI in healthcare, which will be published next year.
The UK National Commission on the Regulation of AI in Healthcare will bring in experts from big tech companies – like Google and Microsoft – as well as leading clinicians, researchers and patient advocates, to advise regulators on how to speed up access to the latest technology in a safe way, so British patients can safely benefit from it first.
In the meantime, the Commission will also look at accelerating access to AI assistants for doctors that help by taking notes, with regulatory uncertainty currently holding the tech back. Early tests of ‘Ambient Voice Technology’ shows that it has reduced admin to mean that more people could be seen in A&E and clinicians could spend more time focusing on patients.
The Commission will also help by providing regulatory clarity on various AI tools such as those for radiology and pathology, and remote monitoring systems to support virtual care of patients from their own homes – alerting staff to early signs of deterioration while helping people live independently.
As well as helping British patients feel the benefit of new technology first, by providing regulatory clarity for new AI tools this approach will attract technology companies to invest in developing and using their latest innovations in the UK, driving forward the government’s plan to build an NHS fit for the future as part of the Plan for Change.
Health Innovation Minister, Zubir Ahmed, said: “AI has the potential to transform healthcare, but only if we get the regulation right. This Commission will ensure we harness the power of artificial intelligence to save lives and improve care, whilst maintaining the highest safety standards our patients deserve. By bringing together the brightest minds in healthcare, technology and patient safety, our Plan for Change is positioning the UK as the global leader in AI-enabled healthcare. This isn’t just about innovation for innovation’s sake – it’s about building an NHS that works better for patients, catches diseases earlier, and gives our incredible NHS staff the tools they need to provide world-class care.”
The Commission, which will be chaired by Professor Alastair Denniston, practising NHS clinician and head of the UK’s Centre of Excellence in Regulatory Science in AI & Digital Health (CERSI-AI), and deputy chaired by the Patient Safety Commissioner Professor Henrietta Hughes, will guide the MHRA on how cutting-edge AI technologies can be safely and effectively integrated into everyday healthcare.
Lawrence Tallon, Chief Executive of the MHRA, said: “We want regulation of AI in healthcare to move at the pace of innovation. AI has enormous potential to transform patient outcomes, improving quality, access and equity of care while driving efficiency. It is crucial that AI regulation maintains patient safety and public confidence. By bringing together leading voices in healthcare, technology, and patient safety, this Commission will help establish the UK as a global leader in responsible AI healthcare regulation. The MHRA will act on the recommendations of the Commission to support the NHS’s digital transformation and advance the UK’s ambition to become a global hub for health tech investment.”
Professor Alastair Denniston, Commission Chair, added: “I’m honoured to be appointed Chair of the UK National Commission on the Regulation of AI in Healthcare. The safe and effective use of AI in healthcare is one of the defining challenges – and opportunities – of our time. This Commission marks a vital step in ensuring the UK leads the way in responsible innovation, and in accelerating the availability of AI technologies that can support better health for everyone. By bringing together diverse expertise we can build a regulatory framework for AI that is trusted by the public and health professionals, and delivers real benefits for patients.”