Doctors and NHS could face lawsuits over AI errors, report warns
6 reported
A new report from the Medical Protection Society warns that doctors and the NHS could be sued for medical negligence over mistakes made by artificial intelligence tools used in diagnosing patients and suggesting treatment. Under current law, medics and the health service can be held liable for patient harm or death even if AI made the errors. The MPS, which represents doctors accused of wrongdoing, says medics could become a “liability sink” for AI mistakes unless the law is overhauled. The NHS is using AI for purposes including analyzing scans and X-rays, generating summaries of doctor-patient conversations, and drafting letters to patients. The MPS wants the government to reclassify AI tools as products under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 to help doctors and the NHS avoid liability for technology errors. The Department of Health and Social Care said NHS Resolution is drafting guidelines on AI liability and will review the MPS report’s recommendations.
What’s reported
The Medical Protection Society warns doctors and the NHS could be sued for negligence over AI mistakes.
Under current law, medics and the NHS can be held liable for patient harm or death even if AI caused the error.
The MPS says medics could become a “liability sink” for AI mistakes unless the law is changed.
The NHS uses AI to analyze scans and X-rays, generate summaries of conversations, and draft letters to patients.
The MPS wants AI tools reclassified as products under the Consumer Protection Act 1987.
The Department of Health and Social Care said NHS Resolution is drafting guidelines on AI liability.
Key figures
Dr Sarah Townley, deputy medical director of the Medical Protection Society
Dr Ragit Varia, president-elect of the Society for Acute Medicine
Ahmed Binesmael, senior policy analyst at the Health Foundation thinktank
Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson
Sources: The Guardian
