Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the role of AI tools in supporting radiologists and improving diagnostic capacity in the NHS breast screening programme.

The Department is actively testing artificial intelligence (AI) in areas with significant impact on health and the economy. AI tools have demonstrated clear potential in aiding radiologists and enhancing diagnostic capacity within the National Health Service, especially in breast screening.

While no formal assessment has yet been completed, emerging evidence is already highlighting the benefits that AI can provide to the NHS. Previously, two radiologists were required to review each scan, but now an AI assistant can perform a preliminary check, which is then verified by a qualified radiologist. This approach reduces the number of radiologists needed to review each scan, but it does not result in fewer radiologists employed by the NHS. Instead, it enables clinicians to work more efficiently and to review a greater volume of scans, thereby improving diagnostic capacity and ensuring more patients are seen promptly.

Furthermore, on 4 February 2025, the Department announced that nearly 700,000 women nationwide will participate in the world-leading Early Detection using Information Technology in Health (EDITH) trial. This initiative aims to test advanced AI tools to detect breast cancer cases earlier and is supported by £11 million of Government funding through the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The Department is pursuing significant initiatives to evaluate and expand the use of AI in NHS breast screening. Early evidence points to improved efficiency and diagnostic capacity, and the EDITH trial will further examine the potential of AI in delivering earlier detection of breast cancer for patients across the country.