United KingdomHealthcare and life sciences2022–2025Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust
AI chest X-ray triage for suspected lung cancer
Epsom and St Helier withdrew lung cancer AI triage when pilot funding ended
Problem
The trust wanted to shorten the path from a suspicious chest X-ray to a CT examination. Its existing process required reporting and a subsequent appointment, with additional administrative work and patient visits.
Approach
The trust introduced a commercial AI tool in December 2022 to flag outpatient chest X-rays suspicious for lung cancer. A clinician checked flagged images before staff arranged a same-day CT when appropriate. A published evaluation reported that the system was decommissioned in June 2025 when pilot funding ended, despite reported improvements in the pathway. A staff survey after withdrawal found both relief from operational demands and concern about lost patient benefits.
Results
No published figures
Takeaway
The trust's pilot funding ended before continuing support for the AI pathway was secured. Withdrawal removed a service that some staff valued while relieving burdens reported by others.
Categories
- Size
- Large enterprise
- Industry
- Healthcare and life sciences
- Business function
- Production and quality
- Innovation type
- Process innovation
- AI technology
- Computer vision
- Adoption
- Vendor solution
- Evidence
- Independent study
Sources
Source summaries
The evaluation identified the trust and documented decommissioning in June 2025 after pilot funding ended. Its staff survey recorded mixed responses, including operational relief and perceived loss of clinical benefits.
This preprint documented the tool's introduction on December 19, 2022, and the clinician review required before arranging CT examinations. It described the previous reporting process and the additional tasks created for radiographers by the new pathway.
Full details are in the original sources.