Prominent US cardiologist Dr Eric Topol is to lead a review

The NHS to look at options for how “tens of thousands” of staff could best be trained on robotics and artificial intelligence technologies.

A review, which is to be led by US cardiologist Dr Eric Topol, will look to identify where the NHS should look to invest in AI and robotics-focused training initiatives. The process will also examine how technology is likely to affect what skills will be required in for healthcare professionals in the coming years.

Topol will begin his work by visiting Moorfields Eye Hospital in east London, which is currently examining how machine-learning technology could be used to help analyse eye scans.

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“While it’s hard to predict the future, we know artificial intelligence, digital medicine, and genomics will have an enormous impact for improving the efficiency and precision in healthcare,” he said. “Our review will focus on the extraordinary opportunities to leverage these technologies for the healthcare workforce and power a sustainable and vibrant NHS.”

Health and social care secretary, Jeremy Hunt added: “Every week we hear about exciting new developments surfacing in the NHS which could help provide answers to some of our greatest challenges, such as cancer or chronic illness. These give us a glimpse of what the future of the whole NHS could be, which is why in the year of the NHS’s 70th birthday I want to empower staff to offer patients modern healthcare more widely and more quickly.”