New programme to support meaningful adoption of ambient voice technology across the NHS

UCLPartners is supporting a new national programme to help NHS organisations make meaningful use of Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) safely and effectively.   

AVT converts clinical conversations into documentation such as clinical notes and patient letters. It is of significant interest to the NHS as it has the potential to free up clinicians’ time, reduce administrative burden and improve the experiences of patients and staff. 

NHS England is bringing key partners  together around one national AVT initiative, providing national funding, guidance, assurance standards and practical implementation support through the Frontline Productivity programme and the AVT centre of excellence.  

The Health Innovation Network is translating that national approach into practical implementation support, help navigating the supplier landscape and developing shared learning and evidence from frontline delivery alongside the Frontline Productivity programme.  

The Meaningful use of Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) in the NHS: Health Innovation Network AVT Programme is led by Health Innovation East and delivered by all 15 health innovation networks, with UCLPartners and THIS Institute as programme partners. 

In collaboration with NHS England, the programme will help build a stronger evidence base for AVT across the NHS. 

Although real-world evidence of productivity savings in the NHS is limited, early indications are promising – a study at Great Ormond Street Hospital found that AVT increased direct patient interaction time by 23.5%. 

Arup Nath, Commercial Director at UCLPartners, said:  

“Ambient Voice Technology has the potential to reduce administrative burden and give clinicians more time to focus on patients. This programme will help us understand how it can be used safely and effectively, and where it can deliver the greatest value for patients, staff and the NHS. 

“As a programme partner, UCLPartners is leading supplier engagement and developing resources to support NHS organisations with procurement and navigating the supplier landscape. Working with partners across the Health Innovation Network, we will also help build the evidence and shared learning needed to support meaningful use of AVT across the NHS.”  

By 2028, the programme will leave the NHS with a clearer understanding of the real-world value of AVT in the NHS and a blueprint for meaningful adoption and use.  

AVT support for NHS providers  

There are three ways in which providers can access AVT support:  

• Through Frontline Productivity funding and associated change management support.  

• Through participating in the Network AVT programme.  

• Through both Frontline Productivity funding and associated support and participating in the Network AVT programme.  

Providers may also choose to implement AVT without accessing any of these support offers. 

Get involved 

Contact us at avtprogramme@uclpartners.com to find out more about this programme and the support available.