NHS Trust to trial AI for spotting broken bones
Grimsby and Scunthorpe hospitals among first in the country to test new diagnostic technology
Last updated 24th Nov 2025
Emergency teams across Northern Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire are set to roll out new AI software that can help flag possible fractures and dislocations in seconds.
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust is one of a small number of trusts taking part in a two-year NHS England pilot launching in November.
The cloud-based system generates near-instant annotated images to highlight potential issues - giving clinicians an extra tool to speed up diagnosis and reduce time patients spend in A&E.
Experts stress the technology will not replace clinical judgement, and clinicians will always make the final diagnosis.
Some scans will be excluded from the trial, including those for children under two, as well as chest, spine, skull, facial and soft-tissue imaging.
Advanced Practitioner Reporting Radiographer Jake Bates said the team is excited to be leading the way:
“We’re delighted to be a pioneer in using AI software in this area and believe it could have significant benefits for our patients… helping us diagnose issues more quickly.”
Consultant in Emergency Medicine Abdul Khan added that rising demand makes innovation essential:
“Emergency departments across northern Europe have already seen the benefits of this technology - we’re keen to see if it can make the same impact here.”
The Trust will monitor the results throughout the two-year trial before deciding whether to adopt the technology permanently.