NHS data could be of ‘immense value’ to Artificial Intelligence (AI) research, the House of Lords Select Committee on AI has said.

In a report published today, the committee reinforces that AI can bring a variety of ‘significant opportunities’ to the NHS, starting from support in clinical decision-making and administrative roles to research and development.

To fully realise this vision, the committee urges the NHS to digitise ‘current practices and records’ consistently by 2022 and address the following factors:

• Use of patient data
• Training of staff
• Public trust and acceptance that AI could play a role in their care
• The system being 'equipped to deploy new technology'. 

The committee has expressed concerns around the ability to capitalise the value of NHS data due to issues with 'storage, availability and flow' throughout the system.

“Medical data (…) is very chaotic at source. This comes down to a delay, specifically in the NHS but also across the world, in the technology that is available in healthcare institutions compared to the technology that is available on the high street,” Dr Hugh Harvey, Consultant Radiologist and AI researcher, previously told the committee.

NHS England, NHS Digital and the National Data Guardian for Health and Care should develop and publish a framework on data sharing before the end of the year, the committee says, with support from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), clinicians, NHS trusts and Caldicott Guardians.

Sharing of data with companies that might not be equipped to handle it securely 'must be avoided at all costs', it is added.  

“This framework should set out clearly the considerations needed when sharing patient data in an appropriately anonymized form, the precautions needed when doing so, and an awareness of the value of that data and how it is used.

“It must also take account of the need to ensure SME access to NHS data, and ensure that patients are made aware of the use of their data and given the option to opt out,” the committee suggests. 

This could help address the risk of 'under-appreciation of the data' due to the 'piecemeal approach’ taken by NHS organisations and prevent trusts from 'exposing themselves to inadequate data sharing arrangements'. 

“AI is not without its risks and the adoption of the principles proposed by the Committee will help to mitigate these.

“An ethical approach ensures the public trusts this technology and sees the benefits of using it. It will also prepare them to challenge its misuse," said Lord Clement-Jones, Chairman of the committee.