The National Health Service (NHS) is about to direct emergency and advice calls to robot operators in order to ease pressure on overburdened accident and emergency (A&E) services. An “artificially intelligent” chat service is set to to be trialled on 111 calls throughout the UK. The controversial new measure is part of a drive by health officials to “digitise” the health service, while speeding up help for minor complaints to reduce strain on services. The first six-month trial will be available to residents of North London neighborhoods in Camden, Islington, Barnet, Haringey, and Enfield starting this month, although patients will still be free to use the old 111 helpline as well. RT reports: More than a million people would be given access to a free app powered by tech firm Babylon, where they can either consult a “chatbot” or enter their symptoms into the program. The bot will then advise whether the patient should stay at home, visit a local pharmacy, see a GP, or rush to hospital. “We aim to provide an alternative to using the NHS 111 telephone number for service users that would find it most convenient to their lifestyle,” said chief operating officer at London Central and [...]
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