AI and the 10 year Health Plan

News - 30 January 2026

Does AI (artifical intelligence) live up to its aspirations to help patients better navigate the health service, end the need for tasks like clinical note taking and free up clinicians ‘to better engage with patients?
Background of the photo shows a persons hands on a laptop keyboard. In the forgrpund is a search bar with an AI graphic to the right.

The 10-Year Health Plan ambitiously aims to ‘make the NHS the most AI-enabled care system in the world’. But is it living up to its aspirations to help patients better navigate the health service, end the need for tasks like clinical note taking and free up clinicians ‘to better engage with patients? Healthwatch England have just released a new analysis of the feedback they’ve had – nationally and through the local Healthwatch network – about the technology in 2025. They explore why people are turning to AI for health information and advice, whether AI is helping with booking and other NHS admin and whether it’s accessible. Within this, we’re pleased to see a light shone on the voices of the people of Surrey via our own report - The digital divide looking at the use of technology in GP practice. What are your thoughts on AI? We’d love to hear from you.  

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