Artificial Intelligence enhances stroke treatment in England

Wednesday 03 September 2025 - 09:45

By: Sahili Aya

Artificial Intelligence enhances stroke treatment in England

A new artificial intelligence (AI) tool deployed across hospitals in England has significantly improved the treatment of strokes, according to the National Health Service (NHS). The technology rapidly analyzes brain scans to determine the type and severity of a stroke, allowing doctors to make quicker and more accurate treatment decisions.

Introduced in the summer of 2024 in 100 NHS stroke centers, the AI system has helped thousands of patients recover. Initial NHS analysis indicates the tool can reduce the time between hospital admission and treatment by over an hour, increasing the likelihood of recovery without disability from 16% to 48%.

Each minute counts during a stroke, as approximately two million neurons die every minute a patient is deprived of oxygen due to vascular obstruction. Rapid intervention is therefore critical to prevent death or irreversible brain damage.

“This technology is revolutionizing the way we help stroke patients,” said David Hargroves, a stroke specialist at NHS England. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the UK, responsible for around 38,000 deaths annually.

The UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has also co-founded an international health regulator network focused on AI, aiming to safely accelerate the introduction of trusted AI tools into healthcare services. Officials hope AI innovations will support the reform of the NHS and help reduce waiting lists.