United Kingdom, July 6 -- The NHS is set to introduce artificial intelligence to its app to help direct patients to the most appropriate healthcare services, as part of a wider government drive to modernise the health service.

The AI-powered tool will assess patients' symptoms before advising whether they should book a GP appointment or instead attend a pharmacy, urgent treatment centre or A+E department, depending on the severity of their condition.

The rollout will initially reach around 200,000 patients over the next year before becoming available to all NHS App users by April 2028.

The move forms part of a £10 billion government investment programme aimed at upgrading NHS technology and data systems, with ministers hoping it w...