Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the finding of the King’s College London study, The use of AI in UK healthcare: Public perceptions and healthcare priorities, published in May 2026, that one in seven people are using AI chatbots for health advice instead of consulting their GP.

The Government has considered evidence and undertaken an assessment on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for health information, including the King’s College London study. A more detailed assessment is now taking place, including recommendations on next steps.

We recognise that the public increasingly uses a range of tools when exploring their health, including AI-powered chatbots, many of which are underpinned by large language models that generate conversational responses based on patterns in data rather than clinical judgement. This reflects wider shifts in how people access information. However, the accuracy and reliability of responses generated by these systems can vary, and they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, particularly where symptoms are complex, uncertain, or potentially serious.

We are transforming how patients access general practice, expanding rapid remote consultations, digital triage, and out‑of‑hours provision so people can get timely, clinically appropriate support in the way that best meets their needs.