A consultant radiologist from Newcastle Hospitals has received national recognition following success at the Medipex NHS Innovation Awards and Showcase 2026.
The awards celebrate the outstanding innovative achievements of NHS staff who go above and beyond to improve patient care and outcomes through innovation.
Dr Anna Beattie, a consultant cardiothoracic radiologist at Newcastle Hospitals, received the award in the using artificial intelligence to improve patient services and safety category.
The award was in recognition of the use of novel AI technology combined with CT scans of the heart in patients referred to the trust’s lipid clinic.
Patients with lipid disorders – those that cause abnormal levels of fat in the blood – are at a high risk of cardiovascular disease.
Currently, assessment is based on risk factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, smoking status, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. A cardiac CT gives detailed 3D images of the heart and arteries to check for blockages.
Treatment usually involves lifestyle changes, weight management, and medication such as statins. However new, approved injections which lower lipid levels are now available.
Award-winning project
As part of the award-winning project, Dr Beattie worked with medical technology company, Heartflow, to evaluate if their plaque analysis technology could provide information from cardiac CT scans to improved detection of plaque and improve access to treatment.
Plaque is the slow build-up of fats, cholesterol and calcium in artery walls. Heartflow’s plaque analysis technology provides detailed information on the quantities, volume and type of plaque in the blood vessels.
In this project, CT alone altered treatment in 40% of patients, rising to nearly 50% when AI-based analysis was used.
Tailored care for each patient
Dr Beattie said:
“This project demonstrated that combining HeartFlow’s plaque analysis with cardiac CT screening provides healthcare teams with a more comprehensive understanding of a patient’s cardiovascular health.
“With new treatment options becoming available, this greater level of detail will help us tailor care and treatment for each individual patient.
“I’m delighted to have received this award and to be part of a project that has the potential to make a meaningful difference for patients with lipid disorders in the future.”
Dr Beattie will now work with partners to embed cardiac CT and AI-based plaque analysis into local pathways and collaborate with national and international partners to undertake further research.
Medipex CEO Lindsay Georgopoulos commented:
“Once again, the judging panel was incredibly impressed by the calibre of applications and the breadth of innovation showcased in this year’s competition.
“A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to enter, and congratulations to all of this year’s finalists and winners.”
