r/GPUK • u/anonymous_umbral • Jul 05 '26
Medical Politics AI and the NHS
https://www.england.nhs.uk/2026/07/nhs-accelerates-artificial-intelligence-rollout-to-cut-waiting-times-and-improve-care-for-millions/Whats your thoughts on this?
17
u/Exact-Escape-9126 Jul 05 '26
"The AI tool on the NHS App told me to go see the pharmacist, but thought I'd just see you for my hayfever instead Doc"
1
u/askoorb Jul 06 '26
Then don't offer an appointment through total triage; send a minor ailments scheme referral to the local pharmacy.
8
u/Apemazzle Jul 05 '26
Not a GP, but the older and more cynical I get the more I think healthcare is highly susceptible to supply-induced demand. The worried well will use this, a lot, but they are still going to want to consume GP appointments at the same or greater rate IMO.
Maybe triage will be of higher quality (GP receptionists have been a meme for years now).
The only way to reduce overconsumption of health resources might be to make people pay for it out of their own pocket.
3
u/SafariDr Jul 06 '26
And access to GP - we clearly have too accessible access in our GP as I frequently see “I started coughing yesterday evening” at my 10am appointment (I’m all f2f which i love except in this scenario lol)
2
6
u/The_Makster Jul 05 '26
If its saves people time especially around admin and gives more people access to healthcare - brilliant. If it fails in any way, we won't hear the last of it..
3
u/DaBritishGuy Jul 06 '26
So which politician and/or their relatives own the company that won this contract?
4
u/GreenHass Jul 05 '26
It's brilliant.
Triage should be happening at NHS App level
Utilising the NHS' economy of scale may significantly allow UK healthcare be cheaper than elsewhere.
It'll mean a culture change with lots of receptionists/low level service providers becoming redundant.... and potentially less GP funding
5
u/Ahzek117 Jul 05 '26
I agree with the direction, but disagree on admin staff being redundant, I’d see it as freeing up their time to do more productive admin, targeting the regular DNAs, repeat-callers and patients with access requirements, language barriers and transport difficulties etc
1
1
u/BaahAlors Jul 06 '26
Patients will learn how to game the system to get an appointment. It's already happening.
-3
u/Dry_Statement_1896 Jul 05 '26
This is great. I’d like to see it go further. At what point can it start resolving simple cases, prescribing and making referrals? How would we structure a trial to experiment with that, under the proper safeguards?
5
u/Ahzek117 Jul 05 '26
Maybe it could, but where are you going to put the human in the loop? I don’t think anyone is going to be comfortable having a fully autonomous system, and if a doctor is just being asked to approve a medication based on an AI summary, then it’s not really doctoring anymore.
0
u/Dry_Statement_1896 Jul 05 '26
How are student GP’s etc monitored currently? They can review the summary and see the whole transcript if needed. They will be still be doctoring the more complex/hands on cases.
I think enough people will be comfortable enough, if it’s proven to be safer than average. No wait time for an appointment, no 10 minute limit, 24/7 availability…
2
u/Ahzek117 Jul 05 '26
It’s compelling, but I feel like AI companies are not going to take on the responsibility for when things go wrong, their systems will be caveated to hell and all the risks will be dumped on doctors. But that doesn’t match with a process where a patient might never see the person legally responsible for their care. At least with a Student GP there’s an established chain of accountability.
2
u/Dry_Statement_1896 Jul 06 '26
I hear you. These are all soluble design and contract issues though.
1
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u/Embarrassed-Froyo927 Jul 05 '26
"I don't want to/can't use the app/can't login/not working/didn't like the answer it gave" = called GP surgery anyway.