NHS doctors now have an AI assistant that listens and makes notes during patient appointments, letting doctors spend more time focused on patients. This technology, led by Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), is being tested across London, with plans to possibly expand to other areas.
The AI, called Tortus, listens to conversations and picks up important medical details while ignoring background noise. It can draft notes, follow-up letters, and suggest medical codes, which doctors review to ensure accuracy.
About 5,000 patient assessments will be part of this trial, including hospitals, GP clinics, A&E, and mental health services. The project is funded by NHS Frontline Digitisation to reduce the time doctors spend on paperwork.
Dr. Maaike Kusters, a GOSH consultant, says this tool is a “game changer,” allowing her to focus on her patients without worrying about typing. During trials, even when tested with distractions like background noise, the AI successfully captured important information and created clear notes.
GOSH ensured the tool met strict safety standards, with all data deleted after each session. Tortus says it doesn’t use patient data to train its AI, keeping information secure.
The technology shows how AI can support healthcare, easing doctors’ workload and enhancing patient care. NHS leaders say they’re committed to using these innovations to offer better care and build a digital NHS for the future.
Source: telegraph
