Southampton company launches AI health platform to free up GPs

Clinova, based at Solent International Business Park, has launched Healthwords, one of the world’s first conversational AI tools focused on providing healthcare advice and self-care products in the UK.  

The market-leading tool is set to transform the self-care industry by using a template that’s similar to ChatGPT but makes the search specific to a single sector.

It is powered by machine learning algorithms that have been trained on verified medical content from a team of over 50 doctors and pharmacists including 200,000 medical words and draws from a medical lexicon of more than 97,000 medical terms.

Clinova headquarters at Solent International Business Park (Image: Google Maps)

Sir Simon Burns, Government Liaison Officer for Clinova and former Minister in the Department of Health, said: “We are very excited by the launch of Healthwords. As we have seen more generally, AI-powered conversational search tools have the power to transform people’s lives, and this is especially true in healthcare.

“Our self-care advice product has the advantage of being free, easy-to-use and anonymous. We think it will be particularly attractive to individuals, who do not have the time to visit a medical professional for less serious conditions.”

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Healthwords provides 24/7 access to fast personalised healthcare advice based on individual needs.

When users input their question or symptom into the conversational search function the generative AI technology will provide medically verified answers or advice, and then recommend self-care products if directed to do so.

Healthwords is especially relevant for those who want non-urgent healthcare advice but don’t have the time or ability to visit the pharmacist during standard working hours.

While it is not designed as a replacement for visiting a medical professional, it educates users in self-care, removing the stigma or apathy associated with seeking in-person advice about certain personal symptoms.

NHS England has previously reported there are 18 million GP appointments and 2.1 million visits to A&E every year for conditions that could be dealt with at home, costing £850 million.

Dr Tom Maggs, Chief Medical Officer for Healthworlds added: “The launch of Healthwords could be a real breakthrough because there is a strong movement for consumer empowerment, especially in healthcare.

“Most consumers are savvy with the internet and are willing and able to search for answers that are relevant and tailored to their individual circumstances.”