East Suffolk and North Essex NHS FT joins LungIMPACT study

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust has joined the LungIMPACT study, a collaborative effort to gather real-world evidence of AI-assisted diagnosis of lung cancer. The study aims to use Qure.ai’s qXR solution to triage chest x-rays and identify suspected lung abnormalities with immediate reporting, allowing for quicker referrals for CT scans and potentially speeding up the diagnosis and treatment process for patients. Dr. James Hathorn, consultant radiologist at the Trust, expressed hope that the technology will reduce diagnosis times and prioritize x-rays for reporting, ultimately leading to faster cancer investigations. The LungIMPACT study is funded by the NHS Cancer Programme, with the support of SBRI Healthcare and the NHS Accelerated Access Collaborative. With the addition of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, the trial now includes multiple NHS hospitals working together to gather evidence of how AI can assist in detecting abnormalities on chest x-rays and potentially save lives through quicker treatment. Darren Stephens, senior vice president of Qure.ai, welcomed Ipswich Hospital to the trial, emphasizing the potential for AI to expedite the detection and treatment of lung cancer.