Government encourages clinicians to use AI scribing technology

New government guidance encourages NHS clinicians to use speech technologies and generative AI to transcribe patient consultations and turn them into structured medical notes and letters.

The guidance, published by NHS England on 27 April 2025, provides an overview of ambient scribing products and key considerations for chief information officers and chief clinical information officers leading AI adoption in health settings.

It follows interim results from an evaluation of ambient voice technologies (AVT), led by Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH), which found that the tools “dramatically” reduced admin, allowed clinicians to spend more time with patients and enabled more patients to be seen in A&E.

The multi-site trial of healthcare AI assistant TORTUS, involving more than 7,000 patients, has evaluated AVT capabilities across adult outpatients, primary care, paediatrics, mental health, community care, A&E and the London Ambulance Service.

In a press release, published by the Department of Health and Social Care on 27 April 2025, Dr Maaike Kusters, paediatric immunology consultant at GOSH, 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.”

During the trial at GOSH, AVTs listened to consultations and drafted clinic notes and letters, which were then edited and authorised by the clinician before being uploaded to the electronic health record system and sent to patients and their families.

After the pilot is evaluated it will be decided whether to deploy TORTUS more widely.

Wes Streeting, health secretary, 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.”

The government guidance is focused on data compliance and security, risk identification and assessment, while ensuring that staff are properly trained before using the technology.

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.”

This government guidance is the first in a series of documents to be published over the next six months to support the adoption of ambient scribing products, which will include templates and tools, guidance on information governance considerations and guidance to support evaluation and monitoring of ambient scribing products.