Ask Alexa instead of your GP: Patients will be told to use Amazon speaker hooked up to NHS website

When the Daily Mail put Alexa to the test yesterday, we found the gadget failed to provide information on several health conditions.

The device used information from the NHS website for questions on flu, and recommended calling 999 for a broken limb. But for many problems, including ones about sepsis, Alexa said: ‘Sorry, I don’t know.’ In other cases Alexa used information from online forum Wikihow – which has no medical credentials.

Q: Alexa, what are the symptoms of flu? According to the NHS website, flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include a temperature of 38C or above, aching body, feeling tired or exhausted, a dry chesty cough, sore throat, headache, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, or tummy pain, and nausea or being sick.

Q: Alexa, I think I’ve broken my arm, what should I do?

I’m sorry, I can’t help, please use your phone to call 999.

Q: Alexa, I can’t breathe, what should I do?

According to Wikihow, to breathe properly, take deep breaths using your diaphragm so you’re getting more oxygen, and avoid taking shallow breathes with your chest.

Q: Alexa, I think my Dad is having a stroke, what should I do? (Asked three times)

Sorry, I’m not sure.

Q: Alexa, I think I have sepsis, what should I do? (Asked three times)

I’m sorry, I don’t know that one.

Q: Alexa, my vision is blurred, what should I do? (Asked three times)

Sorry, I don’t know that.

Q: Alexa, I have a high temperature, what should I do? (Asked three times)

I’m sorry, I don’t know that one.