The use of AI scribe technology can cut admin work and free up clinicians to spend nearly a quarter more time with patients, a UK pilot program has shown.

A NHS England study conducted at nine London sites assessed the impact of the AI tool, TORTUS, which automatically transcribes consultations and drafts summarised clinical notes for physicians to review.

The findings showed a 23.5% increase in direct patient interaction time during appointments, as well as an 8.2% reduction in overall appointment length when AI-scribes were used. 

Emergency Departments experienced especially strong results, with a 13.4% increase in patients seen per shift, according to a press release from Great Ormond Street Hospital [link here], which led the study. 

The results showed that use of TORTUS halved the time taken to complete the initial patient note and that clinicians reported greater efficiency and reduced cognitive load.

“This trial is significant as it shows the NHS can lead the way in safely adopting AI,” said Dr Shankar Sridharan, Chief Clinical Information Officer at GOSH. 

“Innovation can’t happen in isolation and by working collaboratively to test this technology across London – from hospitals to ambulances – we’ve proven it can work at scale and make a real difference for both patients and clinicians.”

AI-scribes automate the process by which clinicians type or dictate notes and letters during and after the consultation by using ambient voice technology (AVT) with generative AI to listen to the consultation and draft a clinic note or letter. 

The technology uses templates that can be personalised to an individual clinician’s preferences. The AI does not make clinical decisions and all documents are checked and edited by the clinician before they save it to the patient’s record.

The researchers evaluated more than 17,000 patient encounters across a diverse range of sites, including hospitals, GP practices, mental health services and ambulance teams. 

Clinicians described TORTUS as “transformative” with particular benefits for neurodivergent staff and those working in high-pressure environments,” the press release said. 

Patients and carers also reported improved interactions with clinicians and more satisfaction; of 92% consenting to the use of the AI-scribe tool, many noted better engagement during consultation.

GOSH intends to roll out the technology across its outpatient settings this autumn. In addition, the findings have already informed NHS England’s national guidance on AI-enabled scribing and contributed to the government’s 10-year Health Plan for health innovation and productivity. 

The research has also already informed the creation of a UK national model for evaluating AI technologies in healthcare, GOSH said.

Economic modelling by York Health Economics Consortium as part of the study showed the potential financial impacts across the NHS system if the technology is scaled. 

The model found that if one additional patient was seen per shift per clinician, this equated to £270.93 added capacity per day. 

“By freeing up clinicians from administrative burden to spend more time with patients, we’re not just improving efficiency – we’re enhancing the human connection that sits at the heart of great healthcare,” commented UK Health Minister Stephen Kinnock.

“As part of our 10 Year Health Plan, technologies like AI scribes are crucial in our shift from analogue to digital healthcare.”