Early-stage analysis of over 111,000 suspected stroke patients whose care included use of the technology found it reduced by over 60 minutes the time between being seen by a doctor and the start of treatment, leading to improved results.

The proportion who were able to resume daily activities increased from 16% to 48%, the analysis of the e-Stroke imaging platform found.

The technology, developed by the UK’s med-tech solution firm Brainomix, is being used across 11 networks in the National Health Service (NHS) to diagnose strokes and determine the best treatment.

The platform helps doctors interpret brain scans and share the images with specialists worldwide who can access them remotely.

“AI has the potential to transform our NHS, delivering faster, more accurate diagnoses, and making sure patients can get the treatment they need when they need it,” health secretary Steve Barclay said.

“Brainomix is an incredible example of how this can be achieved, using the power of AI to shave life-saving minutes off one of the most time-sensitive diagnoses in medicine.”

Over 85,000 people suffer a stroke in the UK each year. One grandmother, who has since returned to work, said she was “back home and able to walk around two days after having a stroke”.

Dr Timothy Ferris of the NHS said the treatment was “harnessing the potential that AI has to support expert staff in delivering life-changing care”.

“Every minute saved during the initial hospital assessment of people with stroke-like symptoms can dramatically improve a patient’s chance of leaving hospital in good health,” he added.

Brainomix launched as an Oxford University spin-out in 2010. Its e-stroke platform is now used in over 330 hospitals in over 30 countries.