Smart Notes AI dictation tool introduced in four NHS trusts
- 23 July 2025
- Four NHS trusts are preparing to introduce the Smart Notes AI dictation tool
- The tool, which was developed with Microsoft, integrates with the Access Rio EPR
- Roll out will begin in August 2025
Four NHS trusts are planning to introduce an AI-powered dictation tool which automatically transcribes clinicians’ notes during consultations and generates summaries.
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, North East London NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust and Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust will roll out Access Smart Notes from August 2025.
The tool, developed in collaboration with Microsoft, integrates with the Access Rio electronic patient record to streamline administrative tasks for clinicians.
Alan Payne, group product and engineering director for Access HSC, said: “We’re proud to be working closely with NHS trusts to explore how AI can support frontline teams and enhance patient care.
“These rollouts will streamline workflows and empower clinicians, allowing them to focus on providing exceptional care.
“This expansion aligns with the government’s vision for digital health transformation, with AI playing a key role in supporting community-based care and improving operational efficiency throughout the NHS.”
Community-based staff, such as district nurses, will be able to document patient interactions in real time via mobile devices rather than relying on handwritten notes and manually inputting information after their visits.
The tool will also improve accessibility for staff who find manual note-taking challenging, such as those with dyslexia or for whom English is not their first language.
James Woolard, chief clinical information officer at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, said: “By leveraging AI, we aim to improve the experience for both clinicians and patients, allowing our teams to dedicate more time to delivering high-quality care.
“The insights from this pilot will play a crucial role in shaping the future of electronic patient records and transforming how we operate as a trust.
“By achieving these efficiencies, we can redirect resources to support quality improvement initiatives across our services.”
Projections from Access suggest the software could save an average of three minutes per case note. Across the Rio user community, which serves a population of 39.7 million, this translates into a potential collective saving of 1.2m days of clinical time annually.
Ben Rigg, director of digital at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, added: “By streamlining workflows and reducing administrative burden, we are not only improving patient care but also fostering a healthier work-life balance for our staff.
“This partnership represents a shared commitment to leveraging technology to create a more effective, sustainable, and supportive healthcare system.”
Following the initial phase, a broader rollout is planned across the trusts, which will include a pilot of a feature designed to summarise how the AI reached its recommendations, supporting informed decision-making and aiding confidence.
The use of AI scripting technology is a key part of the NHS 10 year plan, published on 3 July 2025, and government guidance, published in April 2025, encourages NHS clinicians to use generative AI to transcribe patient consultations.
However, the British Medical Association has advised that GPs should pause the use of AI scribing tools unless they have carried out safety checks, following a letter from Dr Alec Price-Forbes, national chief clinical information officer at NHS England, advising caution about their use.
