19/11/2025
Last week Health Minister Mike Nesbitt visited Antrim Area Hospital to witness first-hand the Boneview project which uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help identify bone fractures.
The Business Services Organisation Northern Ireland Picture Archiving and Communication System ( +) Programme represents ground-breaking innovation in healthcare imaging services. The ‘Boneview’ project, led by NIPACS+, is an AI-enhanced algorithm that supports clinicians reading X-rays within Health and Social Care ( ) Trust Emergency Departments.
The Health Minister said:
“This technology is already making a difference to how efficiently and effectively our Emergency Departments and Minor Injury Unit clinicians can treat patients. With missed fracture rates decreasing significantly, the project is delivering real-time benefits to patients.
“I’m excited about the potential this project has to improve and streamline workflows, enhance diagnostics and most importantly, improve patient care.”
has been implemented into four of the geographic HSC Trusts so far by the BSO’s NIPACS+ programme, with plans for the fifth Trust soon. Once complete, it will be the first region wide NIPACS+ Imaging AI deployment in Northern Ireland.
Joanne Allison, BSO NIPACS+ Programme Manager and Co-Chair of RMIB AI subgroup said: “This is another major milestone for the NIPACS+ Programme and we are close to having a fully regionalised Boneview solution. This wouldn’t have been possible without the support from Dr Anton Collins, SRO of the NIPACS+ Programme and the support of Digital Health and Care NI ( ).
Northern Health and Social Care Trust Consultant Radiologist Dr Eddie Gibson said: “While this project is specifically looking at bones, there are lots of other ways AI can be used in medical imaging in the future, including chest x-rays and CTs with the potential to detect cancers earlier.
“It’s exciting for us to be involved in the rollout of this new technology, and see first-hand the benefits for our patients, and for clinicians.”
Read the full news article here: https://bso.hscni.net/nesbitt-ai-project-delivering-real-time-benefits-to-patients-in-northern-ireland/
Can Artificial Intelligence help ease the strain on Northern Ireland's health system?
https://www.itv.com/news/utv/2025-11-18/how-ai-boneview-could-ease-strain-on-health-system