Accurx has partnered with Tandem Health, a European health tech company, to launch an AI scribe tool for use across the NHS.
The tool supports transcribing, summarising and coding of patient consultations into the clinical record, with the ability to write back to EMIS and SystmOne. It is said to provide capabilities to generate referral letters, advice and guidance requests, and draft appointment summaries and follow-up messages that clinicians can send directly to patients or other care providers.
Other features highlighted on the Accurx website include the ability to utilise templates to create documents to suit a range of styles, and to save to EMIS and SystmOne “with one click”.
Plans are in place over the coming weeks to roll-out the solution to GP practices and in settings already using Accurx.
Nadeem Ahmed, a GP at Melrose Surgery, reports that the product has so far saved 45 – 60 minutes per clinical session. “I am more relaxed during my consultations, better engaged with patients, maintaining good eye contact, and more receptive to their non-verbal as well as verbal cues,” he stated. “I am more satisfied with the quality of my consultations, and patients also seem to appreciate that extra attention and engagement from me. I am able to go home on time and it’s helped improve my work – life balance.”
AI and ambient scribing from across the NHS
A recent HTN Now webinar focused on the practicalities of AI technologies, exploring topics including implementation, adoption, the role of data, policy, regulation, evaluation and best practices. With the help of our expert panellists, we also took a closer look at examples of AI in health and care. Panellists included Neill Crump, digital strategy director at The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust; Lee Rickles, CIO, director and deputy SIRO at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust; and Beatrix Fletcher, senior programme manager (AI) at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
NHS England has issued guidance on the use of AI-enabled ambient scribing products in health and care settings. The guidance supports business case development, risk assessments, governance, data protection impact assessments, and evaluation and monitoring. A key part of the framework covers a series of considerations, posing questions to clarify the product functionality, outputs for transcription, outputs for downstream tasks, and data and system considerations.
