Millie Savage
Content Manager, HETT Show
AI scribe and ambient voice technologies are improving both clinician workload and patient experience. It is rapidly being deployed across the NHS, and more is coming.
Ambient voice technologies (AVT) have exploded in use and scale across health and care in the last two years. They utilise AI to transcribe verbal consultations, taking notes automatically. This allows clinicians to focus on patient interaction without hours of admin. With some clinicians reporting up to four hours of admin a day, the need is clear and results tangible.
AVTs can ease strain on NHS
Technologies that can streamline clinical work, freeing up more time for patients, are high on the agenda for transformation. The 10-Year Plan published in 2025 places some big bets on the power of AI to bring the health service in line with modern patient needs and expectations. Many trusts have embarked on ambitious rollouts of AVT; University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire Group have already rolled out over 10,000 licences and growing.
How does AVT benefit patients?
A quality consultation depends on clinicians having the time and focus to listen carefully, respond with empathy and create a safe, reassuring space for patients. AVT helps make this possible by allowing clinicians to give patients their full attention, rather than note-taking. It can enable clinicians to observe body language and facial expressions, helping them adapt to each patient’s needs.
As the AVT takes a full transcript, there is more nuance and detail, resulting in more accurate summaries. While it reduces admin burden for clinicians, it also means patients receive follow-up letters quicker, minimising the anxious wait for results or next steps.
Technologies that can streamline clinical work,
freeing up more time for patients, are high on the agenda for transformation
Should you be worried about AI being used for your care?
The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which regulates safety, quality, and effectiveness standards, has released new guidance specifically for AVT products.
By keeping pace with the speed of innovation and adoption, this ensures that tools being used in health services meet the right standards and requirements: keeping your data safe; monitoring algorithms for effectiveness; adopting AVT tools safely. Your clinician isn’t going anywhere; they’re getting an innovative tool for success.
