NHS England urges use of AI notetaking tools to cut admin, boost clinician time with patients, and improve care, backed by evidence from trials at nine NHS sites
NHS England has published a new registry of approved AI notetaking tools that capture clinician–patient conversations and produce real‑time transcriptions and clinical summaries, aiming to reduce administrative tasks and increase clinicians’ direct patient care time, as supported by trial results from nine NHS sites.
New evidence from NHS Trials
The AI notetaking registry consists of 19 suppliers of the technology, which capture clinician–patient conversations and use AI to accurately generate real-time transcriptions and clinical summaries while ensuring data protection.
On 16 January 2026, the NHS published a new self-certified registry for the technology, which requires suppliers to comply with standards on clinical safety, technology, and data protection. The supplier registry is being launched following NHS guidance published last year, which advised NHS organisations to use AI notetaking tools that are safe, evidence-based, and deliver benefits to patients.
Dr Alec Price-Forbes, NHS England National Chief Clinical Information Officer, said: “The AI revolution is here and we want to arm our NHS staff with the latest technology, which has the potential to transform the quality, safety and experience of care patients receive, as well as improving efficiency.
“AI notetaking tools will help free up more time for clinicians to focus on their patients, rather than typing up notes or looking at a screen – enhancing the quality of consultations and improving overall patient satisfaction.
“We are working with NHS organisations to help them implement the technology safely and effectively – helping to make the NHS the most AI-enabled healthcare system in the world, as we shift from analogue to digital.”
Minister for Digital Government Ian Murray said: “AI has enormous potential to transform public services, and this is a prime example of how we can use it to make a real difference. By cutting down on admin and paperwork, we’re giving clinicians back valuable time to do what they do best – caring for patients.
“We’re committed to making the UK an exemplar for how technology can be used to improve public services. Supporting the NHS to adopt tools like these safely and effectively is a key part of that mission.”
Key findings from AI notetaking trials
AI notetaking technology tested across nine NHS sites has been proven to free up clinicians to spend nearly a quarter more time with patients. This follows a major NHS England study published last year, which found that AI-scribing technology can significantly reduce clinician workload while improving patient care, with the potential to unlock millions of pounds in activity if rolled out nationally.
Led by the Innovation Unit (GOSH DRIVE) at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, the study evaluated an AI-scribing tool across nine NHS sites in London. The tool automatically transcribes consultations and drafts summarised clinical notes for clinicians to review, allowing the team to assess its impact.
Over 17,000 patient encounters were evaluated across a diverse range of sites, including hospitals, GP practices, mental health services , and ambulance teams.
The trials found a 23.5% increase in direct patient interaction time per appointment and an 8.2% reduction in overall appointment length when using AI-scribes. Results in A&E departments were notable, with a 13.4% rise in patients seen per shift.
