GP surgeries in north London have launched the first NHS pilot scheme that will allow patients to book cervical appointments on WhatsApp using an AI receptionist.
The scheme hopes to boost uptake for cervical screening for women after figures showed a significant drop in testing rates since the Covid pandemic.
The technology involves the use of an AI receptionist, named Asa, who patients can interact with like they would with a human receptionist.
Asa provides reassurance and can also answer patients’ questions relating to their appointment, but does not offer medical advice.
The scheme has already been rolled out across surgeries in Islington and will soon be extended across north London.
It is hoped the scheme could boost screening rates while also reducing demand for the phone line at GP surgeries.
Experts say that women may often refuse cervical testing due to a lack of convenient appointments, embarrassment and concerns about pain.
Less than two-thirds (62.6 per cent) of women in London were up to date with their screening for 2021/22 – well below the NHS target of 80 per cent and the lowest rate in England.
Lucy McLaughlin, Head of Cancer Commissioning at NHS North Central London, said: “Patients are already giving us really positive feedback. We’re hearing that the booking process is easy, fast, and convenient and it’s great that patients are ‘so impressed’.”
Dr Bengi Beyzade, Clinical Lead for ENT & Digital, Islington GP Federation and GP partner at Clerkenwell Medical Practice, said: “We hope this exciting pilot will improve access to cervical smear appointments. Asa answers patients’ queries about their appointments and supports them attending.
“It also reduces demand on our phone lines and improves patients’ experience of booking tests, allowing them to manage or change their bookings easily. The system is overseen by our lead nurse and admin team who monitor activity and can step in at any time.”
The technology was designed by London-based tech firm Spryt and the NHS study is being run alongside the University of Surrey.
