AI has 'potential' in general practice - but is not the panacea for GP pressures

College Chair Kamila Hawthorne responds to a report from the Tony Blair Institute of Global Change proposing a wider use of AI in general practice and the creation of a centralised digital health record. 

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “AI and digital health will likely have an important role to play in the future of general practice and the wider NHS but it’s vital that any initiatives are integrated safely and efficiently and do not come at the expense of the security of our patient’s vital personal data. A centralised and shared health record would, in principle, be good for patients and those working in the NHS, and the College has long called for better integration and sharing of data across organisational boundaries – but we have seen with previous initiatives to make better use of patient data that implementation is highly complex. Such an initiative would need to be developed with appropriate safeguards in place to reassure both patients and GPs that the system is secure and that data would only be used appropriately and with consent. At present we don't have that reassurance.

“We welcome the recommendation regarding the College’s participation in establishing a national AI health-analytics platform, to represent the voice of the profession, as well as conducting public engagement and deliberation, to build trust in the population before any major change is implemented. We are open to considering options which may reduce the liability placed on GPs for uses of data outside their control, but this would need to be thought through with consultation to identify, consider and mitigate any potential unintended consequences.

“GPs aren’t luddites. We recognise the importance of technology, and AI certainly has a potential role in addressing high levels of unnecessary bureaucracy and administrative processes that are a significant drain on GP time, as well as supporting the diagnostic decision-making of GPs. But AI will never be a replacement for a highly-qualified GP and any AI tools introduced into general practice should complement the work we do and improve the experience of patients – they cannot and must not be seen as a panacea for all the challenges facing general practice and the NHS. Any technology-driven solutions must be delivered alongside wider workforce and funding commitments to recruit and retain more GPs and developed in close consultation with both GPs and patient groups.”

Further information

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Notes to editors

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 54,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.