NHS patients will be assessed by robots under a controversial 111 scheme to use “artificial intelligence” to ease pressures on Accident & Emergency units.

More than one million people will be given access to a free app which means they can consult with a “chatbot” instead of a human being.

Hospitals across the country are struggling to cope with unprecedented demand, which has left thousands of casualty patients waiting on trolleys.

In the last week, growing numbers of hospitals and ambulance services have declared critical incidents - even though most operations have been stopped for the last month.

The new measure is part of a national drive by health officials to “digitise” the health service, while speeding up help for minor complaints to reduce strain on services.