There is growing concern among people with disabilities that the rise of AI in healthcare could lead to exclusion and worsening quality of care, research from nuom has found.

The healthtech consultancy commissioned an independent survey of 2,000 UK adults, revealing that nearly two-thirds (65%) of respondents with a physical or mental disability believe the development of AI in healthcare could result in speed and efficiency being prioritised over the personal, human support that some patients rely on.

More than a third (37%) worry that they’ll be left behind as AI becomes more prevalent in the healthcare sector – underlining the importance of inclusive technologies for those who may already face access barriers.

Meanwhile, nearly three-quarters (73%) of respondents with a disability are concerned that advances in AI healthcare tools could exclude individuals who lack confidence in using technology.

This matters for a significant part of the population. According to the latest government figures, 16.1 million adults in the UK have a disability, equivalent to 24% of the population.

The survey also revealed that 74% think that companies that design AI for healthcare should do so with input from people with disabilities to make sure it meets their needs.

That said, nearly half of respondents (48%) stated that they would trust AI tools to assist with tasks such as medication reminders and automatic repeat prescriptions – highlighting areas where digital tools could provide valuable support, if implemented with accessibility in mind.

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Martin Sandhu, managing partner at nuom, said, “The benefits of AI in healthcare are becoming more well known, from improving outcomes to easing pressure on stretched frontline services. But without inclusive design at its core, there’s a real risk that these technologies could widen the very inequalities they’re meant to help address.

“Our research shows that many people with disabilities fear being left behind by rapid developments in healthcare technologies. That’s why it’s essential they’re involved in the design and development process from the start, not as an afterthought, but as active contributors.

“Done well, AI has the potential to improve accessibility, offer more personalised care, and support greater independence. But to get there, we need to build systems that work for everyone.”