AI Technology Revolutionizes Stroke Diagnoses at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute 33 seconds

Tech

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Quick Read: Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust implements AI technology, RapidAI, to expedite and enhance stroke diagnoses, ensuring faster treatment decisions for patients and reducing the risk of long-term disability. The innovative software accelerates the review of CT scan images, providing timely alerts to clinicians at the forefront of stroke care.

The National Health Service (NHS) in the Midlands is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance stroke diagnosis, bringing faster and more accurate assessments for patients. Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust has introduced cutting-edge AI technology, specifically the RapidAI software, to revolutionize the detection of brain abnormalities from medical images.

Clinicians at the NHS trust can now leverage RapidAI to process CT scan images swiftly and identify potential issues. Once a CT scan is completed, the software reviews the images and promptly alerts doctors, who can access the information on their smart devices. Dr Kamel Sharobeem, a Consultant Stroke Physician at Sandwell and West Birmingham, expressed his excitement, stating, "I am delighted that we have launched this crucial cutting-edge technology to further improve timely assessment and treatment decisions for our stroke patients."

Time is of the essence in stroke cases, and the RapidAI software plays a pivotal role in expediting the diagnostic process. Dr Sharobeem highlighted the importance of quick treatment decisions, stating,

"Each minute of delay has the potential to cause an increase in long-term disability to the patient, and it’s vital treatment is given quickly."

The digital platform enables efficient decision-making and swift transfers for thrombectomy procedures, a critical aspect in preventing long-term damage.

In cases where a blood clot is detected, patients can receive thrombolysis through injection. For those with a large artery blockage, a specialized neuroscience center is the next destination for a mechanical thrombectomy. This procedure involves removing the clot, restoring blood flow, and preventing further damage.

While the AI software expedites image review, Dr Sharobeem emphasized that the clinical team still makes the final decision. However, the integration of AI technology significantly accelerates the transfer of images, enabling quicker assessments of CT head and CT angiogram scans. Dr Sharobeem concluded,

"Stroke is a life-threatening and disabling condition where the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. For every minute that treatment is not given, a person will lose nearly two million nerve cells, increasing the risk of long-term disability."

The introduction of AI technology marks a significant stride in improving stroke care outcomes, offering patients timely and efficient access to critical treatments.

West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator Unlocks Nearly £50M in Private Investment

The West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA), led by the University of Birmingham, has generated an impressive £49.4 million in private co-investment within its first two years, significantly surpassing its original £14.5 million public funding allocation.

Funded through the Innovation Accelerator programme, coordinated by Innovate UK, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and UK Research and Innovation, WMHTIA has become a leading force in advancing health technology innovation across the region.

The majority of the private investment—£36.3 million—was directly committed by investors to enterprises supported by the Accelerator. This achievement represents a threefold return on the initial public investment, demonstrating the strong investor confidence in the region’s health tech sector.

Powering Health Innovation Through Collaboration

The WMHTIA brings together 21 partners from academia, industry, and the NHS to help healthtech companies develop, validate, and commercialise cutting-edge medical technologies. So far, companies supported through the programme have also secured an additional £10 million in national public grants from agencies including NIHR, Eureka, and Innovate UK.

Including both public and private contributions, the total investment leveraged by WMHTIA now stands at £67.3 million.

Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor, University of Birmingham:

We’re proud to support startups through the riskiest stages of innovation so more life-saving technologies reach patients. This exceptional investment proves what’s possible when academia, the NHS, and industry work together to drive economic growth and better health outcomes.

In March 2025, the Innovation Accelerator programme was extended with a further £30 million, including £4 million for the WMHTIA to continue supporting the region’s innovators in 2025/26.

Backing the Future of Health Tech

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands:

The West Midlands is leading medical tech innovation—from faster diagnoses to shorter hospital stays. Healthtech isn’t just improving lives; it’s creating secure, high-value jobs that drive inclusive growth.

Dean Cook, Executive Director of Place and Global, Innovate UK:

This programme shows how place-based innovation can unlock greater business investment in R&D. By connecting the region’s strengths, we’re creating high-value jobs and building globally significant innovation capability.

The WMHTIA continues to strengthen the region’s reputation as a national hub for health technology, with far-reaching benefits for patient care, job creation, and regional economic development.

By Anushka Malhotra

24 Jun