As the NHS prepares to deploy an AI-powered patient safety warning system across hospitals nationwide this November, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is quietly reducing its investment in the very data infrastructure essential for the technology’s success.
New figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request and analysed by the Parliament Street Think Tank reveal that the department is cutting its annual expenditure on data staff, technology, and management from £37.7 million in 2023/24 to an estimated £25 million by 2025/26, representing a £12 million reduction over two years.
This shift comes amid a broader push for AI adoption within government departments, with around 70% of agencies already piloting or planning to implement AI systems. The rollout of the NHS’s real-time hospital data monitoring tool aims to detect unusual spikes that could signal urgent issues, enabling quicker responses to potential patient safety threats. However, critics warn that the budget cuts could undermine the quality, governance, and security of the data foundation needed to ensure AI systems are trustworthy and effective.
In contrast, other government departments are increasing their data budgets. The Crown Prosecution Service, for example, has invested approximately £52 million over the past three years into data staffing and infrastructure to enhance operational efficiency and security, highlighting a divergence in priorities across agencies.
