Beaumont Hospital in Dublin is investing up to €110,000 in artificial intelligence technology to tackle the growing problem of missed appointments, which currently affects more than 15% of its patient bookings.
The hospital plans to launch a pilot programme using AI to predict which patients are likely to skip appointments or cancel at short notice. The technology will work alongside the hospital’s existing text message reminder system to deliver personalised messages designed to encourage attendance.
Hospital officials say the initiative addresses a significant challenge facing healthcare providers nationwide. Patient no-shows waste valuable resources and prevent other patients from accessing timely care, creating bottlenecks throughout the health system.
The AI system will analyse data from Beaumont’s patient administration system to identify patterns and risk factors associated with missed appointments. This real-time forecasting capability will help staff better manage clinic schedules and potentially offer last-minute slots to other patients when cancellations occur.
The four-month pilot is scheduled to begin in late 2025 or early 2026. If successful, the hospital could expand the programme under a contract worth up to €1.2 million.
Beaumont’s initiative reflects a broader trend toward AI adoption in Irish healthcare. Last month, the Mater Hospital opened a new Centre for AI and Digital Health, with officials describing artificial intelligence as transformative for healthcare delivery.
The project forms part of Beaumont’s strategic plan through 2030 to reduce outpatient non-attendance and improve overall service efficiency.