A new poll has revealed that less than half of the public would be willing to use artificial intelligence features in a revamped NHS App, which Health Secretary Wes Streeting previously hailed as a 'doctor in your pocket'. The findings highlight significant public caution toward AI-driven medical advice, even as the government pushes for digital transformation in healthcare.
Survey Details and Key Findings
The Health Foundation think tank conducted a survey of 8,000 people to gauge public sentiment toward the NHS App's proposed updates. The results showed that only 49 per cent of respondents would use the AI-powered features promised by 2028, while 32 per cent explicitly stated they would not. This contrasts with stronger support for other app functions, such as booking hospital appointments (76 per cent), choosing a preferred hospital (73 per cent), and accessing information about medical procedures (73 per cent).
Government Ambitions and Public Response
Last year, Wes Streeting pledged that future updates to the NHS App would incorporate artificial intelligence to answer users' medical questions, aiming to bring the service into the 21st century. The changes were intended to ease pressure on hospitals and GP practices by providing patients with health information and appointment management without needing direct contact with doctors or receptionists.
Launching the 10-Year Health Plan in July, Mr Streeting emphasized: 'The NHS App will become a doctor in your pocket, bringing our health service into the 21st century. Patients who can afford private healthcare can get instant advice and remote consultations. Our reforms will bring those services to every patient, regardless of ability to pay.'
Expert Analysis and Recommendations
Ahmed Binesmael, senior improvement analyst at the Health Foundation, commented on the findings: 'The government's 10-Year Health Plan set bold ambitions for technology and AI in modernising the NHS. Our results indicate the public supports using the NHS App for many everyday healthcare tasks but remains more cautious about AI-generated advice.'
He added: 'Meaningful engagement with the public will be essential to get this right – particularly with those who are more sceptical – to ensure new tools meet patient needs and reduce, rather than reinforce, inequalities.'
Broader Implications for Healthcare Policy
The poll underscores a critical challenge in implementing digital healthcare initiatives: balancing technological innovation with public trust. While the 10-Year Health Plan aims to make using the NHS as convenient as online banking or shopping, the data suggests that AI features may face resistance unless properly communicated and tailored to patient concerns.
This cautious stance toward AI in healthcare could impact the government's timeline for achieving a 'fundamental shift from analogue to digital' access to care. As the NHS continues to modernize, addressing public skepticism will be crucial for ensuring equitable and effective adoption of new technologies.
