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Blog
Nicola Emery, PhD

Transforming Radiology in South Africa with AI

aiOS, Radiology
Table of Contents

Across South Africa, radiology services are under increasing pressure. Imaging demand continues to rise, while a national shortage of radiologists places growing strain on radiologist capacity, particularly within private radiology and teleradiology groups managing high volumes of scans from multiple hospitals. To maintain speed, accuracy and quality of care, more practices are turning to AI to strengthen clinical workflows and better support their teams.

A recent example is SCP Radiology, an independent radiology practice serving eight hospitals across the Western Cape. For SCP Radiology, AI has become an important enabler in delivering efficient, high-quality diagnostic services to both patients and referring clinicians.

SCP Radiology deployed Aidoc’s aiOS™ platform, which integrates AI solutions alerting radiologists to suspected positive cases of critical pathologies, including intracranial haemorrhage, c-spine fractures, pulmonary embolism, vessel occlusion, pneumothorax, rib fractures and, most recently, breast cancer. 

Prioritising the Most Urgent Cases

The primary objective of introducing AI was to improve efficiency across the practice, particularly during busy after-hours periods when urgent trauma and emergency cases can quickly create backlogs.

Running continuously in the background, Aidoc’s aiOS™ platform automatically analyses all relevant patient scans. Suspected positive findings are flagged directly to radiologists, enabling them to prioritise urgent cases first. By surfacing potentially critical cases early in the workflow, the system reduces time spent reviewing negative scans and supports faster reporting of acute findings.

“The difference has been especially noticeable after hours,” says Dr Hendrik Schoombee, Radiologist at SCP Radiology. “The AI highlights cases that may require immediate attention, allowing us to direct our focus more effectively. In one instance, the system flagged an intracranial haemorrhage in a patient who was scheduled for hip surgery and would otherwise have received anticoagulants. These types of alerts not only improve efficiency, but add an important layer of patient safety to our workflow.”

Across all SCP Radiology sites, more than 35 radiologists now use Aidoc’s AI solution daily, with 86% reporting that they are satisfied or very satisfied with the solution1. Rather than replacing clinical expertise, the technology is designed to augment it, enhancing visibility, reducing reporting pressure and helping radiologists manage increasing workloads with greater confidence.

Thoughtful Implementation, Measurable Impact

Deploying AI across multiple hospitals and outpatient centres required detailed planning and close collaboration between clinical, technical and operational teams. Aidoc’s implementation services, which includes validations, technical readiness assessments and change management support, helped support a smooth and safe deployment of AI.

“Introducing AI into a live, multi-site environment is never without its challenges,” says Jean Botes, IT Manager at SCP Radiology. “However, the implementation was approached methodically and in partnership with Aidoc. Seamless integration into our existing systems and workflows was critical, and Aidoc ensured we went live only after all integrations were completed and fully validated to our satisfaction and we are pleased with how smoothly the project was delivered.”

By embedding AI into routine clinical practice, SCP Radiology has strengthened its ability to deliver timely, prioritised reporting in a resource-constrained environment. For patients, this can translate into faster diagnosis and quicker access to appropriate treatment. For referring clinicians, it provides a “safety net” that urgent findings will be surfaced without delay.

As demand for imaging continues to grow across South Africa, SCP Radiology’s experience reflects a broader shift within private radiology and teleradiology groups. Thoughtfully implemented AI is emerging not simply as a technological upgrade, but as an essential tool for sustaining quality, efficiency and patient-centred care in a challenging healthcare landscape.

References

  1. Aidoc Internal User Survey, February 2026

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Nicola Emery, PhD

Nicola Emery, PhD, is a marketing expert with experience in the pharmaceutical, life sciences and technology sectors. With a strong scientific background, she brings a data-driven, analytical and creative approach to her role as Director of Marketing, Europe.

Nicola Emery, PhD
Director of Marketing, Europe

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