NHS trials artificial intelligence app as alternative to 111 helpline

At the end of the exchange, the app will advise a patient on how to proceed, an alternative to the advice of 111 call-handlers who are able to send ambulances, book an out-of-hours doctor or suggest other treatment. The trial is seen as a potential solution to the strain on the 111 service. Interactions with the app are significantly cheaper and quicker than speaking over the phone. It is hoped that the database of medical information that Babylon has could mean more effective advice than the 111 staff who are not medical professionals, although many users may have misgivings about the effectiveness of medical advice from a chatbot.