Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust has secured a key voice at the heart of Liverpool City Region’s artificial intelligence agenda, with Chief Transformation and Digital Officer Kate Warriner appointed to a new regional AI Task Force.
The 15-member advisory group brings together senior leaders from healthcare, research, technology, business and public services to explore how artificial intelligence can accelerate economic growth, enhance public services and improve outcomes for communities across the Liverpool City Region.
For Alder Hey, the appointment provides an opportunity to ensure that the needs of children and young people are represented as the region pursues its vision of becoming a leader in responsible and inclusive AI innovation.
Warriner, who also chairs the North West Digital Skills Development Network, will help shape discussions around the ethical adoption of AI and its potential role in transforming health and care services across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Kate Warriner, Chief Transformation and Digital Officer at Alder Hey, said:
“I’m honoured to join the Liverpool City Region AI Task Force and to work alongside such an exceptional group of leaders who share a commitment to using innovation and AI for public good. At Alder Hey, through our AI Strategy and our Paediatric Open Innovation Zone, we’ve seen the enormous potential of bringing together clinicians, researchers, industry partners and communities to develop, test and scale technologies that improve children’s health and wellbeing.
“The Liverpool City Region is uniquely placed to lead the way in responsible, inclusive AI, and I’m excited to help shape an ambition that drives economic growth while transforming health and care outcomes across Cheshire and Merseyside. Together, we have an opportunity to establish our region as a global leader in AI for Good, turning innovation into real-world impact for the people and communities we serve.”
The appointment aligns closely with Alder Hey’s wider digital transformation ambitions. The trust’s AI Strategy outlines how artificial intelligence can be deployed safely, ethically and responsibly to improve patient care and family experiences, while also reducing administrative burdens on staff.
Alder Hey has already built a strong reputation for fostering health innovation through its Paediatric Open Innovation Zone, developed in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. The initiative supports the development, testing and scaling of emerging technologies, including AI solutions designed to tackle challenges affecting children and young people.
The trust is also exploring practical applications of AI to support clinicians in everyday practice. One example is its pilot of Lyrebird, a digital tool that assists healthcare professionals by generating clinical notes and correspondence following patient consultations, helping to free up valuable time for direct patient care.
The newly established AI Task Force will be chaired by Nicola Hodson, former Chief Executive and Chair of IBM UK & Ireland. The group is expected to hold its first meeting following the Liverpool City Region AI Summit in October.
As NHS organisations increasingly explore the potential of artificial intelligence, Warriner’s appointment places Alder Hey at the centre of regional discussions about how technology can be harnessed responsibly to improve healthcare delivery, support staff and deliver better outcomes for patients and communities.
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