AQW 27857/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 29/05/2025
Answered On Date: 12/06/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 21422/22-27, to provide an update on the outcome of the formal audit and evaluation of the use of artificial intelligence to improve the detection of fractures.

Answer:

The work to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve the detection of fractures in Emergency Departments and Minor Injury Units in the Northern Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust ran for a two-month period from 20 January 2025 to 20 March 2025.

The evaluation of the pilot found that this new service model had significant potential and it was agreed that the utilisation of this Artificial Intelligence would be extended in the Northern HSC Trust for 2025/26. A process is currently underway to scope how this initiative will be rolled out across the region, enabling the remaining HSC Trusts to use AI for the detection of fractures during 2025/26.