Christian Grimes

Fellowship Bio

ST6 ENT Registrar and NHS Fellow in Clinical AI leading AI research and digital transformation in healthcare. Developed a multi-year AI programme from concept to funded delivery, with a focus on translating safe, clinically useful AI into real-world NHS and health-tech innovation.

Fellowship Project

Hearing loss and tinnitus affect millions of people in the UK and are a major cause of referrals to ENT services. Long waiting lists can delay diagnosis and treatment. This project explores whether artificial intelligence (AI) can safely support the assessment, triage and management of patients with hearing loss and tinnitus. The aim was to develop an explainable AI decision-support tool that can help identify appropriate referrals, recommend MRI investigations and improve the efficiency of virtual clinics while ensuring clinicians remain responsible for all decisions. I led the project across clinical, research and stakeholder workstreams. My responsibilities included developing the project vision, designing study protocols, conducting a systematic review, engaging NHS, academic and industry partners, leading ethics and governance processes, and writing funding applications. I worked closely with clinicians, data scientists and technology partners to define clinical requirements, develop the AI evaluation pathway, and ensure the project remained clinically relevant, safe and patient-centred. Key milestones:

• completion of a systematic review of 4,225 articles
• establishment of collaborations and governance processes
• development of a structured data pipeline
• creation of study protocols
• renewal of data-sharing agreements
• securing grant funding alongside an NIHR-funded Research Associate post.

The next phase is prospective evaluation of the AI system in a live clinical pathway operating in “shadow mode”, where AI recommendations are compared with clinician decisions. Further work will assess model performance, patient and clinician acceptability, implementation challenges, and generate evidence for future multi-site NHS deployment and regulatory approval.

Fellowship Testimonial

The NHS Fellowship in Clinical AI has been an inspirational and transformative experience, providing me with the knowledge, confidence and network needed to bridge the gap between frontline clinical practice and emerging technologies. Beyond learning about AI development, evaluation and regulation, I gained valuable experience in leadership, stakeholder engagement, research governance, funding applications and multidisciplinary collaboration. The aspect I enjoyed most was the opportunity to take an idea from concept to reality, as the research leader. With support from my supervisor and collaborators, I helped establish a multi-year AI research programme focused on improving care for patients with hearing loss and tinnitus. Seeing the project evolve from an initial concept into a funded programme with academic, NHS and industry partnerships has been particularly rewarding. The fellowship also connected me with an inspiring community of clinicians, computer scientists and industry leaders, highlighting the importance of collaboration in delivering meaningful change within healthcare. It underpinned my belief that successful AI adoption requires not only technical innovation but also clinical oversight, patient engagement and meaningful evaluation. As I progress towards becoming an aspiring fellowship-trained Consultant ENT surgeon, the experience has shaped my long-term ambition to lead AI and digital transformation within the NHS while also contributing to health-tech innovation. I hope to continue developing, evaluating and implementing technologies that improve patient care, support healthcare professionals and help create a more efficient and sustainable healthcare system.