Less than half the public would be willing to use AI features in a revamped NHS App that Wes Streeting hailed as a ‘doctor in your pocket’, a poll reveals.
The health secretary pledged last year that future updates would use artificial intelligence to answer users’ medical questions and bring the service into the 21st century.
It was hoped the changes would ease pressure on hospitals and GP practices by giving patients information on health conditions and appointments without them needing to speak to a doctor or receptionist.
But a survey of 8,000 people for the Health Foundation think tank found only 49 per cent would use the AI-powered features promised by 2028 and 32 per cent would not.
It found more support for other functions, such booking hospital appointments (76 per cent), choosing a preferred hospital (73 per cent) and accessing information about procedures (73 per cent).
Ahmed Binesmael, senior improvement analyst at the Health Foundation, said: ‘The government’s 10-Year Health Plan set bold ambitions for technology and AI in modernising the NHS.
‘Our findings show the public supports using the NHS App to manage many everyday health care tasks, but is more cautious about AI-generated advice.
‘Meaningful engagement with the public will be essential to get this right – particularly with those that are more sceptical – to ensure new tools meet patient needs and reduce, rather than reinforce, inequalities.’
The poll found the public supports using the NHS App to manage many everyday health care tasks but is more cautious about AI-generated advice.
Launching the 10-Year Health Plan last July, Mr Streeting said: ‘The NHS App will become a doctor in your pocket, bringing our health service into the 21st century.
‘Patients who can afford to pay for private healthcare can get instant advice, remote consultations with a doctor, and choose where and when their appointments will be.
‘Our reforms will bring those services to every patient, regardless of their ability to pay.
‘The 10 Year Health Plan will give keep every patient fully informed of their healthcare and make using the NHS as easy and convenient as doing your banking or shopping online.
‘It will deliver a fundamental shift in the way people access their care – from analogue to digital.’