Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Austin of Dudley Excerpts

Tuesday 24th July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Matt Hancock]

There are huge opportunities for AI to improve patient outcomes and to make life easier for staff. In answer to the second part of my hon. Friend’s question, it is all about getting interoperable data rules and standards in place so that different systems can talk to each other in a secure, safe and innovative way.

[Ian Austin (Dudley North) (Lab)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

When we were at university together there was nothing, in my judgment, about the hon. Gentleman’s intelligence that was artificial.

[Ian Austin]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is not just artificial intelligence. The development of other life sciences and new technologies can have a massive effect on improving people’s healthcare, such as the development of treatments like Orkambi for people with cystic fibrosis. Will the Secretary of State make it an important priority to cut through the impasse between NHS England and the manufacturer, Vertex, so that people with cystic fibrosis can finally get access to the drugs they need?