Robot Arthur in UK-first for hand arthritis scans

A robot is being used for the first time in the UK to scan patients' hands and wrists to speed up rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis.

Arthur, at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading scans while AI program Diana interprets the images and sends the results to clinicians so patients get a treatment plan the same day.

Professor Antoni Chan, consultant rheumatologist and physician said: "We are delighted to be the first site in the UK to use Arthur. Earlier diagnosis is very important as joint damage can occur if treatment is delayed."

By using the robot, the hospital hopes to increase patients and offer those with rheumatoid arthritis more frequent scans so their treatment can be monitored.

James Blythe, chief executive officer at the trust said: "There are seven countries around the world that use this technology and we are the first place in the UK to bring it on stream.

"This investment is about using technology to deliver real improvements for our patients and colleagues.

"It means we can get to patients earlier and make interventions that add years to life and life to years.

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust (RBFT) said its rheumatology department in Reading currently carries out 200 hand MRIs a year with demand for their services rising every year.

Proff Chan said: "We can see patients on the day of the clinic they can have the scans and then we can make a decision - this does not replace clinician this helps the decision making and then we can proceed with treatment.

"It really improves the time to diagnose so we don't delay treatment."

The trust said the robot forms part of the wider work taking place across RBFT to invest in technology.

It said other examples included recent investment in new pharmacy dispensing robots, and our work with AI in the to speed up the diagnosis of patients who have had a stroke.