The NHS has announced it will use artificial intelligence on its app to triage patients and direct them to appropriate services, with the rollout expected to reach about 200,000 patients over the next year.
Key facts
- The NHS will use AI on its app to triage patients and direct them to appropriate services.
- The tool will help determine whether patients should get a GP appointment.
- Some patients may be advised to visit a pharmacy or their local A&E instead, depending on severity.
- The update in England is expected to reach about 200,000 patients over the next year.
- It forms part of a £10bn package to overhaul NHS systems.
The NHS will begin using artificial intelligence on its app to direct patients to the appropriate services, it has been announced. According to the Guardian, the tool will be used to triage patients and to work out whether they should be allocated a GP appointment.
Depending on the severity of their condition, some patients may instead be advised to attend a pharmacy or their local accident and emergency (A&E) department, the Guardian reported. The aim is to guide people towards the most suitable form of care based on their needs.
The update in England is expected to reach about 200,000 patients over the next year, according to the Guardian. It forms part of a wider £10bn package intended to overhaul NHS systems.
The move reflects a broader push to modernise how patients access NHS care, using technology to help manage demand across different services. By steering patients towards the right point of care, the tool is intended to make it easier for people to know where to turn when they are unwell.
Further details on how the AI triage system will operate in practice, and the timeline for its full rollout, were not specified in the available reporting.
Why it matters
How patients are directed through the NHS affects waiting times and pressure on GPs and A&E departments. Using AI to triage on the NHS app could change the way millions of people first access healthcare, making the accuracy and safety of the tool a significant public concern.
Frequently asked questions
What will the NHS AI app tool do?
According to the Guardian, the tool will triage patients and help determine whether they should be given a GP appointment or advised to attend a pharmacy or A&E, depending on the severity of their condition.
How many patients will it reach?
The update in England is expected to reach about 200,000 patients over the next year, according to the Guardian.
Is this part of a larger plan?
Yes. The Guardian reports it is part of a £10bn package to overhaul NHS systems.