The NHS is backing new AI notetaking technology to help clinicians spend more time with patients and reduce administrative burdens. These tools, known as ambient voice technologies, capture conversations between clinicians and patients and use artificial intelligence to generate real-time transcriptions and clinical summaries, while meeting strict standards for safety and data protection.
NHS England has published a new national, self-certified registry of 19 approved suppliers, encouraging NHS organisations across England to adopt the technology. Suppliers on the registry must comply with requirements covering clinical safety, technical performance and data protection. While the registry is not a commercial framework, individual NHS bodies can procure the tools through their own governance processes.
The technology could save clinicians around 2–3 minutes per consultation, potentially allowing them to spend up to a quarter more time in face-to-face patient care. NHS guidance published last year recommended the use of AI notetaking tools that are safe, evidence-based and demonstrably beneficial for patients, and the new registry supports this approach.
Evidence from NHS trials suggests the technology can deliver significant benefits. Testing across nine NHS sites showed that AI notetaking freed up clinicians to spend nearly 24% more time with patients. A major NHS England-sponsored study, led by Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Innovation Unit (GOSH DRIVE), evaluated over 17,000 patient encounters across hospitals, GP practices, mental health services and ambulance teams.
The study found a 23.5% increase in direct patient interaction time and an 8.2% reduction in overall appointment length when AI-scribing tools were used. Emergency departments saw particularly strong results, with a 13.4% increase in the number of patients seen per shift. The findings suggest that national rollout could reduce clinician workload, improve patient care and unlock millions of pounds’ worth of NHS activity.
Senior NHS and government leaders have highlighted the potential of AI to modernise healthcare. NHS England’s National Chief Clinical Information Officer emphasised that AI notetaking can improve the quality, safety and experience of care by allowing clinicians to focus more on patients rather than screens. The Minister for Digital Government added that reducing paperwork will help clinicians concentrate on delivering care, supporting the UK’s ambition to be a global leader in the safe and effective use of AI in public services.