BRADFORD Royal Infirmary is set to become the first hospital in Europe to create a military-style command centre in a bid to speed up treatment and reduce bottlenecks.

A crack team of command centre administrators will monitor a wall of screens filled with real-time data. Computers running software using artificial intelligence will be able to predict bottlenecks in the system before they occur, allowing command centre staff to take speedy action.

NHS bosses say they believe the command centre will transform patient care at the 800-bed hospital by helping staff make speedy decisions.

Similar facilities in American hospitals have reduced A&E waiting times by up to 25 per cent and speeded up patient transfers by 60 per cent.

The command centre, which is due to open next spring, will be located centrally in a refurbished space.

A spokesman said: “It will enable us to optimize our use of resources.”