PATIENTS have been able to move up hospital waiting lists thanks to an innovative artificial intelligence service being piloted by the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS.

Chatbot is an automated call system which guides patients through a series of questions designed by NHS consultants and healthcare experts. It enables patients to let NHS trusts know if their condition has worsened and, where necessary, speed up their treatment or if they no longer require treatment.

Thanks to Chatbot, 15 per cent of people on waiting lists have in fact been removed, meaning quicker access to services for those remaining patients who need to be seen.

The pilot saw 2,282 waiting list patients in the Morecambe Bay and Preston areas receive an automated call asking them about their health condition. Three quarters (75 per cent) of patients responded to either the automated call, or a follow-up call from a member of staff.

Find out more at healthierlsc.co.uk/chatbot