NHS clinicians will benefit from ambient voice technology that cuts admin time and makes appointments more efficient
The UK Government is driving the use of AI in hospitals to improve patient care and NHS appointments, and new guidance encourages its use across the health service. Interim trial data showed that ambient voice technology has dramatically reduced administrative tasks, meaning more people could be seen in A&E. Clinicians could spend more time focusing on the patient, and appointments were shorter.
Driving technological change in the NHS
The UK Government prioritises innovative tech and new approaches to reform the health system and improve patient care. For example, ambient voice technology is one of the tools introduced, which can transcribe patient-clinician conversations, create structured medical notes, and draft patient letters.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “AI is the catalyst that will revolutionise healthcare and drive efficiencies across the NHS, as we deliver our Plan for Change and shift care from analogue to digital.
“I am determined we embrace this kind of technology, so clinicians don’t have to spend so much time pushing pens and can focus on their patients.
“This government made the difficult but necessary decision at the Budget to put a record £26 billion into our NHS and social care including cash to roll out more pioneering tech.”
Trialling ambient voice technology across a range of clinical settings
The NHS England-funded, London-wide ambient voice technology work, led by Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH), has evaluated ambient voice technology capabilities across a range of clinical settings – Adult Outpatients, Primary Care, Paediatrics, Mental Health, Community care, A+E, and across the London Ambulance Service.
The trial involved over 7000 patients, and interim data highlighted an increase in direct care – clinicians spent more time with patients rather than typing on a computer – and an increase in productivity in A&E – the technology supported more patients to be seen in emergency departments by carrying out admin for staff.
Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “This technology has the power to free up doctors to do the thing they all want to – spend more time treating their patients. That is good for them, good for anyone receiving healthcare, and a shot in the arm for our efforts to overhaul the NHS as part of the Plan for Change.
“It’s a prime example of why we are embracing the benefits of AI, to make our public services fit for the 21st century and fire up our economy.”
The tool listened to consultations at GOSH and drafted clinic notes and letters. Clinicians then edited and authorised the document before uploading it to the secure electronic health record system. The clinicians agreed that the voice technology helped them offer more attention to their patients without affecting the quality of their notes.
Dr Maaike Kusters, Paediatric Immunology Consultant at GOSH, says: “The patients I see in my clinics have very complex medical conditions and it’s so important to make sure I capture what we discuss in our appointments accurately, but often this means I am typing rather than looking directly at my patient and their family.
“Using the AI tool during the trial meant I could sit closer to them face-to-face and really focus on what they were sharing with me, without compromising on the quality of documentation.”
Dr Vin Diwakar, National Director of Transformation at NHS England, said: “This exciting technology can reduce the burden of administration, allowing patients more quality time with their clinician, and our new guidance shows the NHS’s ability to rapidly and safely harness the very latest innovations to transform healthcare and bring benefits for our hardworking staff and our patients.”
