Artificial Intelligence Strategy
The North East London Cancer Alliance has developed an Artificial Intelligence Strategy to support the safe, responsible and effective use of AI across cancer services in North East London
The strategy sets out how AI can help improve cancer care by reducing administrative pressure, supporting earlier diagnosis, improving pathway monitoring and helping teams make better use of data
Our vision is to use AI in a way that strengthens, not replaces, human care. This means using technology to support clinicians, improve patient experience and help ensure people affected by cancer receive timely, personalised and equitable care.
Why AI matters for cancer services
Cancer services are facing growing demand, workforce pressures and increasing complexity across diagnostic and treatment pathways.
AI has the potential to support teams by:
- reducing repetitive administrative tasks
- improving referral quality and pathway tracking
- helping identify delays earlier
- supporting faster diagnosis and treatment
- improving access to personalised information and support for patients
- highlighting access to personalised information and support for patients
- highlighting inequalities in access, experience and outcomes
AI is not a replacement for clinical judgement. it is a tool that can help staff focus more time on complex, high-value and compassionate care.
Our Strategic Priorities
The strategy identifies eight key areas where AI could support cancer services
| 1. MDT optimisation and documentation | supporting the recording, summarising and tracking of multidisciplinary team discussions. |
| 2. Referral quality and pathway optimisation | Helping improve the completeness and accuracy of referrals, and supporting patients to be directed to the right pathway sooner. |
| 3. Patient pathway tracking and monitoring | Using intelligent alerts to identify people at risk of delays or breaches, enabling earlier intervention. |
| 4. Patient self-management and navigation | Providing patients with trusted information, personalised pathway guidance and support with symptoms, appointments and next steps. |
| 5. Administrative automation and scheduling | Reducing manual processes, improving appointment scheduling and supporting better use of clinical capacity. |
| 6. Early diagnosis and risk stratification | Using data to identify people at higher risk and support targeted outreach, screening and earlier diagnosis. |
| 7. Imaging and diagnostic support | Supporting prioritisation, quality assurance and reporting workflows in imaging and diagnostics. |
| 8. Data infrastructure and systems integration | Building the data foundations needed to support safe, effective and joined-up AI use across services. |
What patients and stakeholders told us
The strategy was informed by engagement with clinical, operational, digital, governance and patient stakeholders across North East London.
Stakeholders recognised the potential of AI to support earlier diagnosis, imaging, diagnostics, administration and MDT efficiency. However, they also highlighted the need for strong governance, clear leadership, staff training, robust data protection and careful evaluation.
Patients told us that AI could be helpful for practical support, such as appointment booking, symptom reporting, medication reminders and faster access to information. However, they were also clear that AI must be used safely, transparently and with clinicians remaining involved in decisions about care.
Immediate Priorities
Over the next six months, NELCA will focus on building the foundations needed for responsible AI adoption. This includes:
- Establishing clear AI governance arrangements
- Strengthening data infrastructure and data quality
- Developing AI literacy and training for staff
- Prioritising high-impact AI opportunities
- Preparing pilot projects or evaluation
Early opportunities include AI-supported MDT documentation, referral quality alerts, pathway monitoring, administrative automation and the expansion of existing diagnostic AI tools.
Looking Ahead
The strategy sets out an 18-24 month roadmap to help NELCA move from early AI adoption to more embedded, system-wide use.
By 2027, the ambition is for NELCA to be recognised as a leader in responsible AI adoption across cancer care, using technology to improve outcomes, reduce pressure on services and support a more personalised experience for patients.
AI will not solve every challenge facing cancer services, but used well, it can be a powerful enabler. It can help automate what can be automated, turn date into useful insight and free up skilled professionals to focus on what matters most: compassionate, expert care for people affected by cancer
AI Strategy resources
All final reports, documents and resources will be made available here