Can AI Help Modernise Ireland's Healthcare System?

Ireland is known as a hub for major technology companies, yet its healthcare system struggles with outdated technology. Many hospitals lack modern computer systems, including shared electronic patient records and unique identifiers to track patients across clinics.

In 2024, a significant computer system failure at Dublin's Mater hospital disrupted surgeries and advised patients to avoid its emergency department. Three years earlier, a large-scale ransomware attack compromised the entire Irish health service network, leading to the leakage of medical records for 520 patients.

In response to these challenges, Ireland has developed ambitious plans to enhance its healthcare system, including the Sláintecare initiative. Launched in 2017, this program aims to utilize a €22.9 billion budget surplus to establish a healthcare system similar to that of the UK or Canada, providing services free at the point of care.

Addressing issues such as long waiting lists for diagnostics is critical to improving healthcare. Prof. Peter McMahon, a consultant radiologist at the historic (164 years old) Mater hospital, indicates that the hospital is among the first in Ireland to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into its radiology department.

With the help of AI, the Mater hospital can prioritize care by analyzing head scans for brain bleeds, chest scans for blood clots, and bone X-rays for fractures. This technology is especially beneficial for junior doctors and nurses who may need immediate assistance at unconventional hours.

Rural hospitals face their own challenges, such as the lack of MRI facilities during evenings or weekends. For patients needing urgent MRIs at night, the only option currently is travel to Dublin. To address this, Prof. McMahon and his research fellow, Paul Banahan, are developing an AI model that can create a 'synthetic MRI' from available CT scans. This model, trained on a database of 9,500 CT and MRI image pairs, enables swift triage for patients with suspected spinal injuries.

Ireland has been storing digital scans in a centralized system since 2008, making it easier to implement AI in medical imaging. However, essential health records and electrocardiograms (ECGs) remain primarily in paper forms or fragmented databases, which could delay the implementation of AI solutions.

Outdated IT systems present a broader challenge to Irish healthcare. Many hospitals are trapped in a cycle of maintaining legacy systems, which complicates efforts to integrate new technologies like AI.

While AI holds promise, its integration into healthcare is not without hurdles. For instance, AI speech recognition tools can help doctors reduce the time spent on administrative tasks, but some have been known to produce inaccurate information. Ensuring that AI programs are effectively trained to avoid generating false data is a necessity.

Moreover, human bias is a known concern in healthcare; however, Prof. McMahon argues that AI systems can also reflect biases, raising questions about the reliability of technology in decision-making. There is a common acceptance of human error, while the threshold for accepting mistakes from AI is significantly lower.

Healthcare regulators have struggled to keep pace with the rapid advancements in medical software, particularly concerning AI. Due to the complexities of AI systems, they often fall under regulations that do not suit their unique functions.

When AI influences medical decisions, it is crucial for doctors to understand and explain the AI's rationale clearly. This is necessary for maintaining patient trust, especially when the technology becomes central to clinical decision-making.

The potential for AI to transform Ireland's healthcare system is immense, but significant barriers must be overcome to realize its full benefits.

AI, Healthcare, Ireland