The cancellation of the first set of junior doctors strikes proves why the health service needs to use technology more, according to experts.
More walkouts were announced at the beginning of the month, but the first was cancelled last Monday amid fears that patient safety would be put at risk.
Estimates currently show that reducing the length of stay in an NHS hospital for one condition in one trust amounts to a saving of around £8million, so the need for this type of innovation is real
Commenting on the decision, Phil Hall of Cassini Health said: "The fact the health service relies on staff for almost every task shows there is room for innovation in this industry.
"Some patients might just require answers to simple questions. Likewise, clinicians may just need to check in with patients as part of their ongoing care plan. These are just some of the ways that technology can play a vital role."
Hall is head of Cassini's general health AI assistant (GHAIA) project, which is creating pioneering healthcare technology and introducing augmented artificial intelligence (AI) into the industry.
A leading figure in AI, he believes that GHAIA will help reduce the barriers between, and speed up access to, the relationship between patients and healthcare professionals.
He said: "We have already been receiving great feedback for the project and it has real potential to improve efficiency and patient care in the healthcare industry.
While budgets in healthcare are always being squeezed, this software will help the industry to become more efficient, and that has got to be good for both patients and healthcare professionals, especially with the current situation relating to junior doctors
"Estimates currently show that reducing the length of stay in an NHS hospital for one condition in one trust amounts to a saving of around £8million, so the need for this type of innovation is real."
By removing the barriers between patients and healthcare professionals, GHAIA aims to use data gleaned from healthcare professionals and the wider community to deliver advice and monitor the health of its users, potentially freeing up healthcare staff for the more-vital roles.
Hall said: "This technology can be used to create a memory bank of voice recordings and photos for Alzheimer's or dementia sufferers, as well as creating and monitoring diet plans for diabetics and alerting people of any sort as and when needed. It's the missing technological glue in our current healthcare system.
"While budgets in healthcare are always being squeezed, this software will help the industry to become more efficient, and that has got to be good for both patients and healthcare professionals, especially with the current situation relating to junior doctors."
The strikes are part of a campaign against new contracts being imposed on junior doctors by Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt.
