Consultant Stroke Physician and Geriatrician and Clinical Lead for Stroke Medicine, Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Innovation in the NHS often begins with clinicians who see a better way forward — and work tirelessly to make it real. Dr Kiruba Nagaratnam, Consultant in Stroke Medicine at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, is one of those leaders. Over the past five years, he has transformed stroke care locally and nationally through the use of artificial intelligence, improving outcomes for thousands of patients.

Kiruba has led the adoption of Brainomix 360, an AI platform that supports clinicians to diagnose stroke more quickly and accurately. In stroke care, every second counts — and this technology helps ensure patients receive life‑saving treatment faster, reducing disability and improving recovery. Under his leadership, the Royal Berkshire became one of the early adopters of AI‑supported stroke imaging, and the model has since been rolled out across hospitals nationwide, demonstrating impact far beyond the Trust.

Alongside his research and innovation work, Kiruba remains deeply committed to patient care and public engagement. He has shared the story of AI‑enabled stroke care through national media, highlighting patient experiences to show how technology can change lives. His dedication, curiosity and leadership embody the best of the NHS — using cutting‑edge tools not for their novelty, but for their power to save lives and improve recovery.

As the NHS marks its 78th birthday and the first anniversary of the 10‑Year Health Plan, Kiruba’s work is a clear example of the shift from analogue to digital — harnessing technology to deliver faster, safer and more personalised care. Explore AI in stroke care or clinical innovation leadership.