Major NHS update as doctors urged to use AI in hospital and GP appointments

Doctors will be encouraged to use AI transcription tools to slash bureaucracy so they can spend more time with patients.

Guidance published today will encourage medics to use the tech to record hospital and GP appointments, saving time spent writing up notes and drafting letters to patients.

A recent trial of ambient voice technologies (AVTs) in London, led by Great Ormond Street Hospital, found doctors were able to spend more quality time with patients as they weren't focusing on typing up notes.

Appointments were also shorter, allowing more patients to be seen - and A&E staff could get more people through the doors as they weren't tied up doing admin.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he wanted to shift the from “analogue to digital”, to free up doctors so they can spend more time with patients.

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He 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 , so clinicians don’t have to spend so much time pushing pens and can focus on their patients."

The guidance is expected to underline the importance of patient privacy as the use of AI may spark fears over the security of confidential medical data.

The London wide pilot, which involved over 7,000 patients, saw AVTs draft clinic notes and letters from consultations, which were edited and approved by a doctor. These were uploaded to a secure electronic health record system and sent on to patients and their families.

Dr Maaike Kusters, Paediatric Immunology Consultant at Great Ormond Street, said: “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.”

The Jean Bishop Integrated Care Centre, in East Hull, has been using AI transcription to free GPs, consultants nurses and physiotherapists up for their work caring for older people with frailty.

Dr Andrew Noble, who works at a care centre in Hull, said: “The positive feedback from both staff and patients shows just how valuable this project has been. We're excited to keep exploring what AI can do for us and to continue enhancing patient care and clinical efficiency.”

The NHS is carrying out a landmark trial using AI to check women aged 50 to 70 for breast cancer to supercharge screening efforts and boost earlier diagnosis rates. AI is also being used in the health service to understand pain levels for people who cannot speak.

Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said the latest move was "a shot in the arm for our efforts to overhaul the NHS". He added: "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.”

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