AI Deployment Reduces Reporting Times for Urgent Chest X-Rays
North East London Cancer Alliance has reported early improvements in lung cancer detection workflows following the rollout of Qure.ai’s qXR artificial intelligence tool, delivered through Sectra Amplifier Services. The AI integration is designed to support chest X-ray reporting across a region facing sustained radiology capacity pressures.
At Barts Health NHS Trust, the introduction of qXR has led to substantial reductions in reporting delays. Turnaround times for the most urgent chest X-rays improved by 61.5%, decreasing from 13 days to 5. Reporting times for urgent cancer cases also improved by 41.7%, dropping from 12 days to 7. The Alliance aims to achieve a consistent turnaround of fewer than three days for all chest X-ray reports.
These improvements are occurring in the context of rising demand for imaging. Across north east London, chest X-ray requests increased by 94% between 2017 and 2022, climbing from 139,080 to approximately 270,000. At the same time, a 29% national shortfall in radiologists has contributed to delays, with some patients previously waiting up to 21 days for results.
Wayne Douglas, Programme Lead at North East London Cancer Alliance, said: “The early results from using AI in chest X-rays are encouraging. By embedding AI into our lung cancer pathway, we are beginning to reduce reporting delays, improve prioritisation, and provide greater assurance for patients and clinicians. This work is an important step in strengthening diagnostic capacity across North East London.”
Clinical Feedback and Training Across Trusts
Clinicians across participating Trusts have reported positive experiences with the new workflow, and training is underway to ensure that radiographers and junior doctors can use qXR effectively. The Alliance emphasizes that the AI tool supports prioritization and improves confidence in detecting urgent cases without replacing clinical judgment.
North East London Cancer Alliance was established in 2020 under NHS England’s Cancer Alliance program. It serves a population of 3 million across eight boroughs through partnerships with Barts Health NHS Trust, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, and Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Bhargava Reddy, Chief Business Officer, Oncology at Qure.ai, said: “These early results show how AI can play a supportive role in diagnostic pathways. Working with North East London Cancer Alliance and Sectra, we are seeing measurable improvements in reporting times and greater confidence in identifying urgent cases.”
Ongoing Evaluation and Future Expansion
A two-year evaluation of the AI deployment is in progress, with initial findings already shared with NHS England. The Alliance will continue tracking key outcomes such as time to CT and time to diagnosis. Plans are also being explored to expand AI integration into CT imaging pathways.
Source: Qure.ai
