How the UK plans to use AI in its new NHS system
The government has published its NHS 10-Year Health Plan, detailing how it plans to use new technologies such as AI to improve healthcare in the country.
Technology and AI play a key role in the government’s plans, with AI being mentioned 79 times throughout the document.
The government anticipates using AI for everything from taking notes to accelerating drug development, and from conducting remote assessments to sequencing genomes.
In an analysis of the document, Patrick Milnes (Campaigns & Government Relations Manager at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation) notes that AI is seen as the key to unlocking the potential of the NHS and driving the government’s plan to transition to an NHS that is genuinely preventative.
“The intention is that AI advancements will make diagnosis quicker, free up doctors and nurses to do the patient-focused work and will completely reform the entire clinical pathway. The support of AI is also intended to help reduce the overall headcount in the NHS by removing or reducing the need for many of the existing supporting roles,” he said.
“However, even the most staunchly pro-AI advocates might recognise that the current capabilities of AI aren’t quite at the level being envisioned in this plan. That begs the question of how the NHS will operate in the transition period over the next few years whilst these technologies are developed and integrated.”
Milnes said that much of this will depend on staffing and ensuring sufficient staff are retained to manage the transition. Cutting staff numbers too aggressively, before the technology is ready and fit for purpose, could leave the NHS further weakened, he said.
“The government is also committed to revitalising the NHS App. In his launch speech, Sir Kier Starmer wanted the app to be like ‘a doctor in your pocket’, giving millions of people direct access to non-urgent medical advice, the ability to book tests and appointments, and access to their new shared patient record.
“The app is planned to be a world-leading tool that helps to drive the government’s commitment to creating a fully digitally enabled NHS over the 10 years of this plan,” he said.
