A pilot at South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust has shown that predictive artificial intelligence improved care for vulnerable people and reduced hospital appointments by 80%.

Data from the MySense pilot between May 2020 and April 2021 showed that it also significantly reduced unnecessary burden on GPs and other healthcare workers.

GP appointments reduced by 58%, 999 calls by 53% and visits from community care teams by 43%, according to the findings.

Working with IT solutions provider SCC, the trust installed a system using wearables and passive sensors in the homes of a group of vulnerable people to provide 24-hour monitoring.

An AI hub then accessed the data produced, about the daily habits and key responses of every person. By monitoring key clinical data, it alerted a network of health organisations, carers and families of any adverse events, prompting early intervention and prevention.

The initiative is the first to be developed through a new Digital Hub, created by a partnership between South Warwickshire and SCC. The hub is claimed to be a first-of-its-kind in-house facility, enabling clinicians to work alongside technologists on the design, build, testing and implementation of digital solutions to healthcare challenges.

Elaine Martin, dementia clinical practitioner at South Warwickshire trust, said: “Using the data collected through MySense, we are no longer carrying out unnecessary visits, and when we do check in, we know what to focus on.

“It’s another set of eyes for us. Our carers feel more supported and use the data to ensure the right care and support is being offered at the right time.”

Glen Burley, chief executive of the trust, said: “It is great that we are able to work to develop technology that will enhance the care our clinicians can provide.”