The NHS in England is rolling out an update to its app that uses artificial intelligence to help direct patients to the most appropriate service. The NHS says the feature will assess users’ symptoms to determine whether they need a GP appointment and, depending on the severity of their condition, may instead be advised to seek care elsewhere, including a pharmacy or local A&E.
According to multiple reports, the rollout is planned as part of a wider technology overhaul for the health service, linked to a stated £10bn package to improve NHS systems. One outlet reports the update is expected to reach about 200,000 patients over the next year, indicating a phased introduction rather than immediate availability for all users.
The NHS also states that the updated tool will be available to all app users in England by April 2028. Overall, the reporting focuses on the app’s expanded triage and routing function, designed to guide patients toward the right level of care based on information gathered through the app’s symptom-checking process.
