NHS Uses AI to Reduce A&E Pressure in England

The NHS is leveraging AI technology to identify and support high-intensity users of Accident & Emergency (A&E) services across England, addressing a significant challenge as the healthcare system faces winter pressures. More than 360,000 patients visit A&E over five times a year, often due to underlying issues such as poverty and social isolation. The High Intensity Use (HIU) services, implemented in over 125 A&E departments, utilize predictive software to reach out to patients before they require emergency care, providing personalized support to tackle root causes of frequent visits. Successful initiatives have already halved the A&E visits for some individuals, demonstrating the potential of this proactive approach. Meanwhile, NHS Lothian in Scotland is using AI to assess chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients' risks and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions, aiming to ease winter pressures on hospitals. Both initiatives highlight the growing role of AI in improving patient care and operational efficiency within the NHS.