Dear Editor

One of the major trends in health care in many countries by now has been the setting up of Support Groups either totally independently of partly or wholly collaborating with established organisations such as the NHS. When the use of AI in collaboration with government is to become more dominant is their a danger that these valuable sources of information and support will be sidelined? Will the huge increase in information and advice generated by AI flatten out alternatives and choices, of what information is accessible to those primarily using an NHS APP The APP could well cut down on the sort of research many members of the public and independent groups discover and share other than on an APP.
Just to say also that although it is well known that untold numbers of people have no access to technology of any kind should there not be a specific body set up to tackle this concern. The inequality gap is wide enough already and will be greater unless something is done to genuinely 'empower' all members of society with information about the changes going on. Seems no action is being taken even now to genuinely include those without technology. For example the media disgracefully enjoins people after any broadcast which effects aspects of health care to 'go to our website' or with the pen and paper we all are supposed to have at out side to 'call this number' One possibility could be to set up NHS information centres in public places for face to face meetings with individuals and groups to be informed of the changes being made and which have already been made without their inclusion, making reference to 'empowerment' pretty hollow