AI tool will launch on NHS App to help tackle health inequalities

An AI tool which “gives patients direct access to trusted health information” will feature on the NHS App as part of upgrades under the NHS 10 year health plan.

The Department of Social Care (DHSC) announced the ‘My Companion’ tool as part of measures aimed at breaking down barriers to healthcare and reducing health inequalities.

It is intended to democratise healthcare by helping patients to articulate their health needs and preferences confidently, providing information about a health condition if they have one, or a procedure if they need one.

The tool will also support patients to ask questions, including any they may have forgotten about or felt too embarrassed to raise at an in-person appointment.

Wes Streeting, health secretary, said: “The ambition of our 10 year health plan is nothing less than to provide NHS patients with the same ease and convenience that’s afforded to private patients.

“The good news is that technology gives us the opportunity to democratise healthcare in a way never before possible.

“It can empower patients with choice and control and make managing our healthcare as convenient as doing our shopping or banking online.

“Technology can be the great leveller.”

He added that the 10 year health plan will do for health what Martin Lewis, the ‘Money Saving Expert’, has done for the personal finances of “ordinary people” who cannot afford a financial advisor.

“Our 10 year plan for health will do the same for NHS patients – giving them easy access to information, to help them improve their health,” Streeting said.

Another new feature planned for the NHS App is ‘My Choices’, which DHSC said “will help people find everything from their nearest pharmacy to the best rated providers for heart, hip or knee surgery”.

It will provide a range of data on providers across the country – such as which delivers the shortest waits, has the best patient outcomes, the best patient satisfaction scores, or is closest to home, so that people can pick care based on their own preferences.

Dr Vin Diwakar, NHS national director of transformation, said: “The shift from analogue to digital set out in the 10 year health plan will transform the services we offer through the NHS App, making it the single most important tool patients use to get health information and control their care.

“These exciting reforms will be invaluable in combating health disparities and providing world-leading access to those who have not previously been able to get care on their own terms – by providing transparent data about services or supporting carers to manage the care of loved ones.

“We will co-design these with patients and carers to ensure that the app can be accessed by everyone.

“All this and more will be available from your pocket, making controlling your own healthcare as easy as placing an online shopping order.”

Earlier this month, the government announced that patients will be able to browse and sign up to clinical trials via the NHS App.

The NHS 10 year health plan is expected to be published in July 2025.