AI to be used in bid to cut hospital waiting times

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools will be deployed at Barnsley Hospital in a bid to cut waiting lists, missed appointments and the admin burden on staff as part of a pilot scheme.

The move follows Barnsley being named by the government in February as the UK's first "Tech Town", seeking to create a "trailblazing" hub for how AI can improve everyday life.

A government spokesperson said they wanted to use the technology to free up NHS staff to spend more time on patient care, with the pilot due to start in April.

Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said Barnsley was "showing the rest of the country how we can use tech to build a future that works for all".

The government spokesperson said the intention with the hospital scheme was "to provide local residents with more time with clinical staff, reduced missed appointments and shorter waiting lists".

As well as the trial at Barnsley Hospital, residents and local businesses will also be offered the chance to gain AI skills through an £800,000 AI Upskilling Challenge Fund.

The spokesperson said the fund was "designed to ensure bespoke and in-depth AI training reaches businesses and individuals that might not otherwise access it, or require more personalised support".

It would open for applicants in May, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized organisations, they added.

Sir Stephen Houghton, Barnsley Council leader, said the pilot schemes "will be the first real example of Tech Town in action".

"The AI Upskilling Challenge Fund will play a crucial role in helping residents build future‑ready skills, adapt to technological change and remain competitive in an evolving labour market, while also allowing employers to future-proof their operations," he explained.

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