The AI for Urgent and Emergency Care Prevention Programme in north east London 

The AI for Urgent and Emergency Care Prevention Programme helps people in North East London take control of their health and avoid unnecessary hospital visits in line with the NHS Tean Year Plan shifts: from analogue to digital, from hospital to community.

Patients who are most likely to be admitted to hospital are identified using AI and then contacted by an accredited clinical coach who provides them with personalised support. The aim is to help people stay well, manage their conditions and reduce the risk of long hospital stays. Data so far shows that it works and that the patients themselves are appreciative of the support. 

This approach is part of a three-year national demonstrator, sponsored by NHS England and delivered in partnership with NEL ICB, UCLPartners, and Health Navigator. 

The programme analyses hospital data using AI to spot people who are at risk of needing urgent or emergency hospital care in the next six months. These patients are then offered support before problems get worse, helping to prevent hospital admissions. The AI algorithm is designed and regularly checked to make sure it’s fair and doesn’t miss anyone who needs help – this is done by working closely with local borough and neighbourhood teams, to ensure people from all backgrounds can benefit, especially those living in areas with higher deprivation. 

Once someone is identified they are contacted by a clinical coach and offered help and support. This is entirely optional but over 50% take up the offer of help. The Clinical Coaches help people set goals, build confidence, and make positive changes, such as joining a gym, remembering to take medication, or accessing specialist support. They use their clinical background to provide health education and guide patients in how they can navigate the health system. Patients are enabled to build agency and access the help they need take an active role in their own health, with support tailored to match specific community needs. 

In line with the 10-year plan it’s about moving from hospital to community and patients say they appreciate being “found by the NHS” and feel their care journey is much more positive. 

Testimonials include: 

“Thank you for waking me up.” 

“Just wanted to let you know I’ve gone back to work. So happy. Thank you for your endless support.” 

“Since starting coaching, I’ve joined a gym which has helped my mental and physical health. I’ve also downloaded a Pill Reminder app and haven’t missed my medication like before. I used to go days without taking my antidepressants because I was too busy with the kids as a single parent.” 

“I appreciate everything that’s been done. I wouldn’t have known what to say to the GP Practice about my asthma flare-up. Now I have an alert system at the GP for same-day appointments, a contact for a Respiratory Specialist Nurse, and I’m being trialled for familial cholesterol. None of this would have happened without your help.” 

Successes so far 

NHS England chose to support this programme following a detailed audit of a decade of evidence – including data from a Randomised Control Trial – which showed:  

• 25% fewer days spent in hospital beds
• 34% fewer emergency visits
• 24% fewer unplanned admissions
• 26% fewer GP referrals to hospital
• No extra workload for GPs 

In this larger scale deployment over 2,500 patients have joined the programme across five boroughs since January 2025. Early operational analysis show an even greater reduction in the number of days spent in hospital.  

What’s Expected by the End of the Demonstrator 

• The programme is on track to support over 9,000 patients by March 2027.
• If the current results continue, it could save 200–300 hospital bed days across NEL.
• The approach could be expanded to help even more people, working with neighbourhood teams and targeting other groups who need support.

The partnership between NHS North East London, UCLP, and Health Navigator is making a real difference in North East London by using smart technology and personal coaching to help people stay well and out of hospital. The early results are very promising, and by the end of the demonstrator, the programme is expected to deliver even greater benefits for patients, local communities, and the NHS.