New health-data programme launches

Diseases could be detected even before people experience symptoms, thanks to a pioneering new health-data programme.

Part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy, the programme will see businesses and charities jointly invest up to £160 million, alongside a £79 million government investment, as part of the Accelerating Detection of Disease programme. The project will support research, early diagnosis, prevention and treatment for diseases including cancer, dementia and heart disease.

The initiative will recruit up to five million healthy people. 

Accelerating Detection of Disease has the potential to transform the way people are treated, supporting the NHS to continue to deliver the highest quality care for UK patients. 

The programme is led by Professor Sir John Bell and brings together the NHS, industry and leading charities including Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation and Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May said: "Last year, I set out a mission to use data and AI to transform the diagnosis of chronic diseases and create a future where thousands more survive cancer; where a diagnosis means treatment and survival, rather than having to simply manage the condition.

"Today’s announcement is another positive step forward in achieving this, as we work towards identifying more intelligent approaches to preventing disease and transforming the lives of patients and their families."

Leader of the programme Prof. John Bell said: "The Accelerating Detection of Disease programme will put the UK at the forefront of global research into early diagnosis and help us shift the standard in healthcare forever. We have a vision to live in a world where you prevent disease rather than treat it too late. The ability to identify people at risk or suffering from early forms of disease with greater precision will have a profound impact on how we develop diagnostics and new ways to treat disease. I am delighted that this challenge will bring together the NHS, charities and industry to develop a truly world leading resource."

Hilary Evans, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: "Alzheimer’s Research UK is delighted to play a part in this landmark cohort and harness this incredible resource to make breakthroughs possible for people with dementia.

"Today, we diagnose dementia causing diseases after symptoms show, but to ensure people get the greatest benefit from future treatments, we must be able to diagnose them as soon as possible. Alzheimer’s Research UK is working to revolutionise how diseases like Alzheimer’s are identified and uniting the best minds in digital data and technology to draw on the full potential of the Accelerating Detection of Disease cohort."