A new AI assistant is being trialled in the NHS to help doctors spend more time with patients by handling administrative tasks. The technology allows healthcare professionals to focus on patient care rather than typing up documents and letters, as the AI generates these for them.
The trial, led by Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH), is taking place across London with potential for wider implementation. Funded by NHS Frontline Digitisation, the trial will cover around 5,000 patient assessments in hospitals, GP surgeries, A&E departments, and mental health services.
Called Tortus, the AI uses ambient voice technology – a combination of speech recognition and artificial intelligence – to capture relevant medical information during conversations while filtering out background noise and unrelated chatter. It drafts notes, follow-up letters, and suggests clinical codes, all of which are then reviewed by the doctor.
Dr Maaike Kusters, a paediatric immunology consultant at GOSH, described the technology as a “gamechanger” for her consultations. She explained that, with patients who have complex medical conditions, it’s essential to accurately capture what is discussed, but typing during appointments often meant less face-to-face interaction. The AI allows her to focus more on her patients and their families while still ensuring proper documentation.
In an earlier phase of the trial, the system was tested with actors posing as patients, attempting to disrupt it with incorrect information, accents, or background noise. Despite these challenges, Tortus correctly identified medical details and produced clear clinical letters.
Doctors at GOSH have reported that the AI tool enhances clinic efficiency, reduces administrative time, and improves the overall experience for both staff and patients. GOSH confirmed that the technology underwent thorough safety checks and assured that all data is deleted after documents are generated, with no long-term storage.
Martin Machray, NHS England’s Director for Improvement and Transformation in London, praised the trial as a prime example of AI supporting clinicians and improving patient care. He emphasised that the NHS in London is embracing innovations to create a digitally-enabled healthcare system.
Tortus promises that its AI technology will revolutionise medical documentation by ensuring high-quality notes are produced quickly, saving doctors valuable time. Hafsa Ahmedi, product manager at Tortus, explained that the company’s mission is to reduce clinician burnout by automating non-medical tasks like note-taking and follow-ups. She reassured that the AI is designed to support, not replace, clinicians’ judgment, maintaining strict safeguards around clinical interpretation.
The trial is part of ongoing efforts to improve the NHS’s digital capabilities and streamline the workload of healthcare professionals.
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