Mater Hospital opens pioneering AI centre for clinical research
The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (MMUH) has become the first hospital in Ireland to establish a Centre for AI and Digital Health. The new hub, which will be based at the Pillar Centre for Transformative Healthcare, will utilise artificial intelligence (AI) to solve clinical problems across the hospital and, through research, develop AI-driven solutions to improve patient care and outcomes.
The Mater Hospital’s Centre for AI and Digital Health has been brought about through the collaboration of consultants, researchers and hospital leadership, and will make a tangible difference in patient care. From reducing emergency department waiting times, to assisting in diagnostics and automating time-consuming tasks, the Centre will place the Mater Hospital at the forefront of AI-driven healthcare innovation in Ireland.
“AI has the power to transform how we deliver healthcare,” said Erin Daly, operations manager for the Pillar Centre for Transformative Healthcare. “At the Mater Hospital, we are developing AI solutions that directly improve clinical processes, whether it’s streamlining workflows, assisting in medical research, or helping doctors make faster, data-driven decisions.”
The Mater Hospital’s new hub for AI-driven medical advancements is overseeing the adoption of AI and engaging in research across multiple medical specialties, including radiology, oncology, cardiology, and ophthalmology.
“This centre offers a unique opportunity to bring together clinical and technical expertise to adopt and innovate with AI in Irish healthcare,” said Paul Banahan, Senior AI Research Fellow at the Mater Hospital.
The Centre’s work is already proving invaluable, with AI solutions contributing to the reduction of emergency department waiting times and optimising hospital workflows. In the Mater’s Radiology department, AI is assisting in the rapid notification of suspected pathologies, like stroke and fractures, which are being correctly flagged by AI within 2-3 minutes of the scan being completed, with an accuracy rate of over 90%.
Mater Hospital Consultant Radiologist Prof. Peter MacMahon said, “Our experiences have underscored the tangible benefits of AI, notably in expediting critical diagnoses and reducing turnaround times by rapidly flagging anomalies detected in scans.”
While AI promises significant benefits, the Centre is equally focused on its responsible and ethical implementation. Robust data protection and management frameworks are being developed to ensure patient safety and privacy, as well compliance with best practices.
“Bringing AI into clinical practice is not just about innovation, it’s about making healthcare more efficient, effective, and accessible,” said Prof Brendan Kinsley, Clinical Director of the Pillar Centre for Transformative Healthcare. “The Mater Hospital’s Centre for AI and Digital Health is laying the groundwork for a smarter, more responsive healthcare system, and I am incredibly proud to see this vision come to life.”
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