A new AI-operated physiotherapy clinic, known as Flok Health, is set to launch in the NHS, offering same-day video appointments for musculoskeletal conditions to tackle staff shortages and long waiting times. While endorsed by the Care Quality Commission, concerns remain about AI’s ability to replace human judgement in healthcare.
The first NHS physiotherapy clinic run by AI is set to launch this year to reduce waiting times amid increasing demand and staff shortages. This new platform, known as Flok Health, offers same-day automated video appointments with a digital physiotherapist through an app that interacts with patient information in real-time.
Approved by the Care Quality Commission, patients can access this service through referrals from GPs or by self-referring. The initiative aims to alleviate pressure on clinicians by providing quicker care for musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, which account for 30% of GP consultations in England and result in over 30 million lost working days annually.
However, some industry experts, such as those from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, stress that AI cannot replace the nuanced clinical judgment of human physiotherapists. They advocate for more research into AI’s capabilities without compromising patient safety and trust.
The Flok app, co-founded by Finn Stevenson, showed promising results in initial trials involving over 1,000 NHS staff. Ninety-seven percent of patients received rapid triage outcomes, with 92% being approved for immediate AI physiotherapy. Participant feedback indicated high satisfaction, with many finding the AI experience comparable or superior to traditional methods.
The AI clinic will initially partner with NHS organizations such as NHS Lothian and Cambridge University Hospitals, with plans to launch this summer.
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