We are supporting the EMRAD (East Midlands Imaging Network)’s Chest AI Response (CAIR) project, which will introduce Artificial Intelligence to speed up lung cancer diagnosis across the East Midlands. This project is funded by the Artificial Intelligence Diagnostic Fund, a ring-fenced funding provided to 11 imaging networks to advance the roll out of AI diagnostic tools.

Health Innovation East Midlands will evaluate the project, which will span seven Partner Trusts – beginning with the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust as an early adopter.

Annalise.ai, the awarded chest AI supplier, will be introduced at the beginning of the clinical pathway, as patients are referred for their chest x-ray.

The deployed chest AI algorithm will help clinicians to identify pathologies and reduce inter-observer errors, so the patient can be directed to a more detailed scan for accurate diagnosis whilst still at their appointment, rather than waiting for scan results to come back several days later. This will reduce further waiting time and patient anxiety. The technology could also be used by Emergency Departments where results of chest x-rays are required straight away.

The Trusts will deploy AI for chest plain film – primarily within Chest x-ray where there are proven case studies of AI being used to reduce times from referral to diagnosis.

Recent studies have shown that AI algorithms can assist radiologists in identifying various abnormalities in chest x-rays, reducing human error and provide consistent radiological reporting. AI can also quickly process and analyse large volumes of chest x-ray images and help triage patients. Reducing delays will mean that patients can start any necessary treatment sooner. The changes should also reduce the administration burden on staff and make communication and information sharing less fragmented.

The technology will roll out over the seven Trusts in the next three months and the evaluation report will be complete by the end of the project with intermittent reviews.

For more information on how HIEM can support evaluation of your project please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.