UK Hospitals to Implement Ambient Voice Technology

Following a pilot of the technology with 7,000 patients at one hospital in its National Health Service (NHS), the U.K. government is encouraging the implementation of ambient voice technology across its health service. Interim trial data showed that the technology dramatically reduced administrative tasks, meaning more people could be seen, clinicians could spend more time focusing on patients, and appointments were shorter.

The NHS-funded, London-wide ambient voice technology work, led by Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH), evaluated ambient voice technology across a range of clinical settings, including adult outpatients, primary care, pediatrics, mental health, community care, and emergency, and across the London Ambulance Service.

The tool listened to consultations at GOSH and drafted clinic notes and letters. Clinicians then edited and authorized documents before uploading them to the secure electronic health record system. The clinicians agreed that the voice technology helped them offer more attention to their patients without affecting the quality of their notes.

"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," said Dr. Maaike Kusters, a pediatric immunology consultant at GOSH. "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 pilot also brought praises for ambient voice technology from several U.K. government health and technology leaders.</p/>

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 hard-working staff and our patients."

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: "AI is the catalyst that will revolutionize 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."

Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: "This technology has the power to free up doctors to do the thing they all want to: spend more time treating their patients. That is good for them, good for anyone receiving healthcare, and a shot in the arm for our efforts to overhaul the NHS as part of the Plan for Change."