Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Digital Healthcare in the NHS: What It Means for You as a Patient

As a solicitor specialising in medical negligence, I’ve seen how delays in diagnosis can have life-altering consequences.  

In July 2025, the NHS 10-year plan was published which started a discussion about how technology and artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way we experience healthcare in the UK and this will include breast cancer care.  

From mobile apps supporting surgical recovery to virtual hospitals and online GP booking systems, the NHS is embracing digital tools to make care more efficient, accessible, and personalised. But, while these changes offer exciting benefits, they also raise important questions about patient safety and accountability. 

AI and the NHS: A digital future for cancer care 

The NHS Long Term Plan envisions a future where digital innovation improves outcomes and reduces pressure on services. For breast cancer, this includes: 

• AI-assisted image analysis to support radiologists
• Personalised risk-based screening approaches
• Digital communication via the NHS App for screening invitations and results
• Earlier diagnosis through enhanced screening tools 

One of the most notable developments is the EDITH trial, involving nearly 700,000 women across the UK. It uses AI to assist radiologists in interpreting mammograms, potentially reducing the need for double reading and speeding up diagnosis. 

But with innovation comes risk and questions about responsibility. 

Traditional breast cancer screening and missed diagnoses 

While AI offers promise, traditional breast cancer screening methods such as mammography remain the cornerstone of early detection. However, these methods are not infallible. 

In medical negligence, we frequently encounter cases where: 

• Radiological errors led to missed tumours
• Delays in referral from GPs caused late-stage diagnoses
• Failures in follow-up after abnormal results left patients without timely care 

These cases highlight the importance of human oversight, clear communication, and timely action. Whether technology is involved or not, the legal duty of care remains the same: patients are entitled to safe, timely, and competent treatment. 

The rise of digital healthcare in the NHS 

In recent months, other key initiatives outside of breast cancer care have marked the NHS’s push toward a more tech-enabled future: 

• The MyRecovery App: this app supports patients undergoing hip and knee replacements. It offers tailored exercise videos, progress tracking, and direct communication with care teams.
• Online GP Booking Mandate: As of 1 October 2025, all GP practices in England are required to offer online appointment booking throughout core hours. This move aims to eliminate the notorious “8am scramble” and free up phone lines for urgent cases. 
• NHS Online Hospital: Set to launch in 2027, this virtual hospital will allow patients to access specialist care remotely via the NHS App. Designed to reduce waiting times and geographic inequalities, it promises up to 8.5 million additional appointments in its first three years. However, questions remain about digital exclusion and the safe triage of patients.

Concerns about digital healthcare: what patients should know 

While hailed as a step toward modernising general practice, the British Medical Association has raised concerns about the GP online booking system and potential risks to patient safety due to increased demand and lack of safeguards. They state that online systems currently cannot distinguish between non-urgent and urgent patient queries and with practices already understaffed and overworked, GPs fear this could lead to potentially serious and life-threatening problems being delayed or missed entirely.

While the NHS Online Hospital is being hailed as a major step forward in improving access and reducing waiting times, several patient groups and healthcare professionals have raised important concerns. One of the most pressing issues is digital exclusion as many patients, particularly older adults, those with disabilities, or people from disadvantaged backgrounds, may struggle to access or navigate digital services. Organisations like National Voices and The Patients Association have stressed the need for inclusive design and support to ensure these patients are not left behind. There are also concerns about the quality of care delivered remotely. The Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) has warned that some conditions such as skin cancers or neurological disorders require physical examinations that cannot be replicated online. They cited the case of “Jessica,” whose care was compromised due to a series of remote consultations.

Additionally, questions remain about staffing and resources. With the NHS already facing significant workforce shortages, experts from the BMJ and BMA have questioned how the online hospital will be staffed without affecting in-person services. Transitioning patients safely between digital and physical care also presents logistical challenges, and if not managed carefully, could lead to delays or gaps in treatment. For patients, it’s essential to know that they have the right to request face-to-face care and to raise concerns if they feel their needs aren’t being met through digital channels.

What you can do as a patient 

• Stay informed: Ask questions about any digital tools or apps you’re offered.
• Speak up: If something doesn’t feel right, whether it’s a delay, a missed diagnosis, or a technology issue, raise it with your treating doctor.
• Know your rights: You’re entitled to safe, timely, and accessible care, whether it’s delivered in person or online. 

Clinical negligence in the age of AI 

As AI becomes embedded in clinical pathways, new dimensions of clinical negligence emerge: 

• Missed diagnoses: If AI fails to detect cancer, who is liable: the NHS, the software provider, or the clinician?
• Failure to inform: Patients must be told if AI is used in their diagnosis. Lack of informed consent could form the basis of a claim.
• Systemic errors: A flawed algorithm could affect thousands, shifting the focus from individual error to systemic negligence.
• Digital exclusion: Patients without access to smartphones or digital literacy may miss screening invitations, leading to avoidable harm. 

Behind every missed diagnosis is a person whose life could have been different. Technology must be implemented with transparency, caution, and robust safeguards. 

Technology is reshaping healthcare and breast cancer care is at the forefront of this transformation. But innovation must be balanced with accountability, equity, and patient safety. 

As legal professionals, we play a crucial role in ensuring that digital tools enhance care without compromising rights. Whether it’s a missed diagnosis due to AI, a delay caused by digital exclusion or a delay caused by human error, patients deserve answers and justice. 

As clinical negligence solicitors, we’re here to help patients understand their rights and seek answers when care falls short. 

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month let’s celebrate progress while advocating for safe, inclusive, and accountable care.