NHS gets a £133million funding boost for AI and gene therapies ‘which could transform the lives of people with cancer and dementia’
- More than a third of the money will go directly to NHS diagnostic services
- Majority of the money will be funnelled into research into adult social care
- It is hoped this will enable faster diagnoses for people with serious illnesses
Artificial intelligence and gene therapies which could transform the lives of people with cancer and dementia are set to receive a £133million government funding boost.
The government will announce today that the money will go towards the use of new technologies in the NHS such as artificial intelligence.
It is hoped this will enable faster diagnoses for people with illnesses like Parkinson’s, dementia and cancer so treatment and intervention can come sooner – giving patients a better quality of life.
The government will announce today that the money will go towards the use of new technologies in the NHS such as artificial intelligence
More than a third of the money, £50million, will go directly to NHS diagnostic services, The Times reported.
A government spokesman said this would ‘develop cutting-edge products using digital systems and artificial intelligence that could ultimately save lives’.
Another project called nucleic acid therapy accelerator, a form of gene therapy, will receive £30million.
It is hoped it could develop new ways to treat Huntington’s, Parkinson’s and some cancers.
The majority of the money will be funnelled into research into improving adult social care.
The remaining money will go towards understanding conditions like arthritis.
Technologies for treating osteoarthritis and developing new vaccines will receive £14million, and research into the ‘understanding of pain’ in conditions like arthritis will receive £12million.
Matt Hancock, health secretary, told The Times: ‘We’ve got to bring NHS technology into the 21st century.
‘I’ve seen for myself how better technology and diagnosis can save clinicians’ time so they can concentrate on care.
‘The NHS is now spearheading world-leading technologies that can transform and save lives through new treatments, diagnosis techniques and care.’
Business secretary Andrea Leadsom added: ‘Chronic and painful illnesses like arthritis and Parkinson’s are dreadful and prevent people from living a full life.
‘Curing these kinds of debilitating illnesses is one of the great challenges we face globally and today’s commitment will play a vital role in ensuring that our scientists and thinkers have the tools they need to find new treatments that will support people to lead longer, healthier lives.’