Damian Hinds Tells Conservative Party Conference AI Must Help The NHS Deliver Better Care

Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Care, Damian Hinds spoke today at the Conservative Party Conference and asked a question all too often missing from the conference hall - how can new technology help health professionals deliver better care?

The Shadow Secretary pointed to promising uses already being explored across healthcare, from faster diagnostics at Moorfields to AI tools that could shorten drug development and support more personalised medicine. He also highlighted AI scribes, which can reduce administrative work and give clinicians more time with patients.

For UKAI and the healthcare and life sciences working group - we have consistency argued in favour of a focus on outcomes. AI's value comes from solving real problems for patients, professionals, and public services. In healthcare, that means demonstrating that tools are safe, effective and appropriate for the setting in which they are used.

Hinds also recognised that successful adoption depends on frontline staff being involved in decisions about how tools are introduced and integrated into daily work. If a system adds steps, creates extra administration, or does not fit clinical practice, it will struggle to deliver its promise.

Trust is just as important. Patient safety, data security, and privacy must be built into the design and deployment of AI systems. The NHS’s scale and rich health data give the UK a strong foundation for research and innovation, but that asset must be handled responsibly, with clear governance and public confidence.

The speech’s reference to past public sector technology failures is a reminder that ambition needs to be matched by effective delivery. That means setting clear goals, testing solutions in real-world settings, learning from users, and measuring impact. It also means creating routes for successful innovations to move beyond individual pilots and become part of sustainable care.

The UK has strengths in its universities, life sciences and technology sectors, as well as the NHS itself. Bringing those capabilities together can help the country develop and adopt AI that responds to genuine health needs.

The questions being asked by the Conservatives today include whether the technology helps people receive better care, and whether it helps the workforce provide it. It sounded as though the Conservatives hope that by putting this test at the centre of policy and practice will turn AI’s potential into practical benefits for the NHS.