- Amie Smith, a 47-year-old carer, experienced severe back pain in April 2025, which rapidly worsened and spread to her legs, prompting an urgent GP appointment.
- She was referred to Flok Health, an AI physiotherapist programme being trialled by her local NHS trust, after her GP initially attributed her pain to fibromyalgia.
- An AI consultation flagged her serious symptoms, leading to a follow-up call from Kirsty Henderson, a human physiotherapist at Flok, who identified potential cauda equina syndrome.
- Amie was subsequently rushed to hospital, diagnosed with the rare spinal condition, and underwent a five-hour emergency lumbar decompression surgery on 1 May.
- She credits the AI and human physiotherapist for her early diagnosis, preventing further damage, and highlights the technology's potential to significantly reduce NHS waiting lists.
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