RCGP raises concerns over Foresight AI through Joint GP IT Committee

College Chair Kamila Hawthorne echoes concerns - first raised by the Joint GP IT Committee - over the use of patient medical data, intended for Covid research, to train Foresight AI.

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “As data controllers, GPs take the management of their patients’ medical data very seriously, and we want to be sure data isn’t being used beyond its scope, in this case to train an AI programme.

“We have raised our concerns with NHS England, through the Joint GP IT Committee, and the committee has called for a pause on data processing in this way while further investigation takes place, and for NHS England to refer itself to the Information Commissioner.

“Patients need to be able to trust their personal medical data is not being used beyond what they’ve given permission for, and that GPs and the NHS will protect their right to data privacy. If we can’t foster this patient trust, then any advancements made in AI – which has potential to benefit patient care and alleviate GP workload – will be undermined.

“We hope to hear more from NHS England in due course, providing definitive and transparent answers to inform our next steps.”

Further information

RCGP press office: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk

Notes to editors

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 54,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.