UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – NHS’s first AI physio clinic cut back-pain waitlists by 55%, saving clinical hours monthly, but concerns grow over risks to digitally excluded patients.
As reported by The Guardian, an NHS trial using AI to manage physiotherapy patients has cut back pain and MSK waiting lists by half.
How AI helped cut NHS back pain waitlists by 55%?
The NHS has trialled an AI physiotherapy service in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, where more than 2,500 patients accessed Flok Health over a 12-week period.
Flok Health uses recorded videos of physiotherapists to deliver instant virtual sessions through an AI app that adapts each appointment based on live patient input.
At launch, the Cambridgeshire clinic faced an average 18-week wait for elective community musculoskeletal care.
The NHS recorded a 44% drop in MSK delays after introducing Flok and other support measures. The reduction was attributed to the AI tool, along with initiatives like local assessment days.
According to Flok, its AI-powered physiotherapy clinic cut back pain waiting lists by 55%. It also saved 856 clinician hours each month through automation.
What did Flok’s CEO say about the local impact?
Finn Stevenson, the co-founder and chief executive of Flok Health, stated,
“Seeing the impact our service has had in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, which is also where our team lives and works, has been incredibly meaningful.”
What did CSP say about the rise of AI in physiotherapy?
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy says AI could improve future healthcare, but warns it may worsen inequalities for those unable or unwilling to use app-based physiotherapy.
John Cowman, CEO of the CSP, stated,
“When tackling the problem of waiting times, it is important to address the root causes, one of which is the recruitment freezes currently stopping graduate physiotherapists from finding work in the NHS. We have a workforce ready to provide proven, safe care which will help cut waiting times and ensure people get the appointments they need.”
He added,
“AI will certainly play an increasing role in healthcare in the coming years as a tool to support services, but should be run in conjunction with increasing the physiotherapy workforce.”
What did Mike Passfield say about scaling Flok Health’s service?
Mike Passfield, the deputy director from Cambridge Community Services NHS trust, stated,
“We’re proud to have been the first NHS organisation in England to deploy Flok Health’s AI-powered physiotherapy clinic at scale.”
She added,
“This pilot has demonstrated how innovation, when safely and thoughtfully integrated into NHS pathways, can dramatically improve access, outcomes and patient experience. We look forward to working with Flok to explore how this service can be scaled across our region to benefit even more people.”
How did Anna-Marie Cooper describe her Flok experience?
Anna-Marie Cooper from Cambridge said she was hesitant at first when referred to Flok’s AI physiotherapy service for her back pain, but eventually described the experience as a positive one.
She added,
“I have used private physiotherapy services in the past, but I found my experience with the AI physio as good as, if not better than, any care I’ve received before. Flok’s service was so intuitive, and having the flexibility to schedule and rearrange appointments whenever I wanted really suited me.”
Use of AI in physiotherapy
- Custom plans: AI uses the patient’s health data to make rehab plans that fit best.
- Live feedback: Apps and wearables guide your moves and help you avoid injury.
Home therapy: It allows physio sessions at home using online tools. - Better checks: AI can detect small issues in how you move before they become big problems.
NHS plans to integrate AI in health
- NHS is making an AI tool to spot health risks early and alert doctors in real time.
- The NHS app will use AI to give health tips, book appointments, and track your health from your phone.
- AI will help read X-rays and scans quickly, helping doctors find diseases like cancer faster.
- Smart devices will let patients get treated at home, so fewer people need to go to the hospital.
Wes Streeting’s views about using AI in the NHS
Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, stated,
“While most treatments in the NHS are safe, even a single lapse that puts a patient at risk is one too many. Behind every safety breach is a person – a life altered, a family devastated, sometimes by heartbreaking loss.”
He said,
“Patient safety and power are at the heart of our 10-Year Health Plan. By embracing AI and introducing world-first early warning systems, we’ll spot dangerous signs sooner and launch rapid inspections before harm occurs.”
Mr Streeting added,
“This technology will save lives – catching unsafe care before it becomes a tragedy. It’s a vital part of our commitment to move the NHS from analogue to digital, delivering better, safer care for everyone.”