Bringing AI-Powered Voice Technology to NHS Frontline Care

In healthcare settings, AI-powered ambient voice technology (AVT) records patient-clinician conversations and converts speech into structured medical documentation that can be uploaded to electronic patient records.

NHS England Midlands is the first region to have procured at scale a provider of AI-powered AVT for its 1,239 GP practices and more than 70,000 clinicians across 15 acute and community trusts, freeing up GPs to see more patients and reforming traditional administrative practices. 

The new regional procurement framework gives clinicians a single route to deploy AVT at scale, marking the first and largest of its kind in the NHS. 

AI medical transcription developer Heidi Health has been selected as the sole supplier following the procurement process.

Proven efficiency gains

NHS England Midlands’ procurement decision follows practical evidence gathered in nationwide NHS studies, which found that AVT can significantly reduce clinician workload while improving patient care.

The study also estimates the technology’s potential to unlock millions of pounds through efficiency gains if rolled out nationally. 

Results showed a 23.5% increase in direct patient interaction time during appointments, alongside an 8.2% reduction in overall appointment length when AVT was used. 

A&E also saw strong results, with a 13.4% increase in patients seen per shift.

On the future of AVT in the NHS, Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State for Care in the UK Government, said: “This is exactly the kind of innovation we need as we work to build an NHS fit for the future and end hospital backlogs.

“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.

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

Transforming NHS operations in the Midlands

The technology was also trialled in practical clinical settings in NHS England Midlands facilities.

An NHS England Midlands rheumatology service reduced a six-month patient letter backlog to just 14 days, while a Same Day Emergency Care unit cut documentation time by 80%.

Discussing the impact of the AVT pilot, Ravinder Sahota, Group Chief Information Officer at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust and Sandwell and West Birmingham Trust, explains, “Dudley had seen first-hand what was possible. Our clinicians were spending less time on documentation and more time with patients, and that told us we needed to find a way for the whole region to benefit.

“We built the clinical safety case, the business case and the evidence base so that other trusts would not have to start from scratch. 

"This framework shows what we can achieve when the NHS works collaboratively to get safe, effective AI into the hands of clinicians at scale.” 

The future of AVT technology in NHS settings

The NHS’ plans for AVT go beyond just recording patient-clinician consultations.

As part of its wider AI strategy, NHS England plans to embed AVT directly into electronic patient record systems, alongside AI-powered triage in the NHS App, Microsoft Copilot for NHS staff, the future Single Patient Record and NHS Online virtual services. 

Through the rollout of AVT, the NHS aims to reduce administrative workload, improve productivity and support the wider ambitions of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan – the government's strategy to build a health service fit for the future.