Ambient Voice Technology

Use of Ambient Voice Technology at Frome Medical Practice

We recently introduced Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) to support clinicians in documenting patient consultations more efficiently. AVT is a digital tool that transcribes spoken dialogue into written clinical notes, helping reduce the time spent on manual documentation and allowing clinicians to focus more fully on patient care.

The introduction of AVT is aimed at improving the quality and accuracy of clinical records, reducing administrative burden on clinicians, and helping practices respond to growing demand for appointments. By freeing up time previously spent on note taking, AVT supports better access to care and enhances the overall patient experience.

Early evaluations across NHS sites have shown that AVT improves documentation quality, reduces end of day admin, and allows clinicians to be more present during consultations. Patients have reported feeling more listened to, with clinicians maintaining better eye contact and explaining treatment plans more clearly.

The technology has only been in use at the practice for a few weeks, and its introduction reflects a broader NHS strategy to improve access to care and manage increasing demand on primary care services. AVT is highlighted in the NHS 10 Year Plan, published in July 2025, as a key innovation expected to be deployed across all parts of the NHS. The plan identifies AVT as a core enabler of NHS transformation, helping to reduce the administrative burden on clinicians and free up time for direct patient care.

We recommend that clinicians inform patients about the use of AVT prior to their consultation, particularly whilst the technology is new. While explicit consent is not required, due to the complexities of consent in clinical settings, patients are always free to opt out. In clinical settings, consent for the use of technology is often implied as part of the delivery of direct care. Patients attending a consultation reasonably expect their information to be recorded and used to support their treatment. AVT is used solely to assist with documentation, and does not change the nature of the care provided.

Requiring explicit consent for every tool or system used during a consultation would be impractical and may disrupt the flow of care. It can also lead to confusion or inconsistency, particularly when technologies are embedded into routine clinical workflows. Instead, the emphasis is placed on transparency, patient choice, and the responsible use of tools that support safe and effective care. Information about AVT is displayed frequently on digital screens throughout the practice, and our privacy policy has been updated on our website to reflect its use.

If a patient later learns that AVT was used and has concerns, they are encouraged to contact the practice so that the matter can be reviewed and addressed appropriately. We are committed to ensuring patients feel informed and respected in all aspects of their care.

We take patient privacy and data protection extremely seriously. AVT does not record or store audio. Instead, it generates a written transcript of the consultation, which is securely processed within the UK. These transcripts are stored for a maximum of 90 days and are accessible only to authorised staff within the practice. No external parties have access to this data.

The use of AVT, and other digital tools, in the day to day care of patients is subject to strict legal and regulatory requirements, including UK GDPR and NHS clinical safety standards. A full Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) and clinical safety review have been completed to ensure AVT meets all necessary criteria for safe and lawful use. The technology also complies with NHS Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC) and is classified as a medical device under Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) guidance when used for summarisation.

We remain committed to transparency, patient choice, and the responsible use of technology in healthcare. Any patient with questions or concerns about AVT is encouraged to contact us.

Published: Aug 5, 2025