Government to support AI tools rollout in GP practices over the next two years

The Government will support the rollout of artificial intelligence (AI) transcribing tools in GP practices over the next two years, in a bid to save clinicians’ time, its 10-year plan for the NHS has said. 

The plan, which was released this morning, used figures from ‘local trials’ that showed ambient
voice technology (AVT) saved one to two minutes per GP appointment. 

It said that the Government will undertake ‘a framework procurement process’ and support GP practices so that they ‘can adopt this technology safely’.

Starting in 2027, it will roll out ‘validated AI diagnostic tools’ and deploy ‘AI administrative tools’ NHS-wide, including AI scribes, the plan said.

It comes after GP practices were advised last month to appoint a ‘clinical safety officer’ with two days’ training before using AI transcription tools. And NHS England said that providers should only use AVT that are compliant with its standards.

However, the plan said these technologies would be crucial in the NHS’s future.

It said: ‘We estimate that saving just 90 seconds on each appointment would generate over 2,000 full time equivalent worth of GP capacity, with local trials showing that ambient voice technology can achieve this on its own. That will mean more appointments, at more convenient times, and better continuity of care for those with complex needs.

‘In the next two years, we will support providers to roll out technology to cut unnecessary administrative and clerical work.

‘Ambient voice technology (AI scribes) will end the need for tasks like clinical note taking, letter drafting and manual data entry.

‘Developments in AI have the potential to transform the experience of staff for the better by automating administrative work.

‘By liberating staff from bureaucracy, AI can help bring the joy back to work and give staff more control over their most precious resource: their time.’

It added that in some GP practices and hospitals, these technologies are already in use and that the problem is ‘not one of adoption but of scale’.

It added: ‘To accelerate this, and bring benefits to the frontline more quickly, in 2026 to 2027 we will undertake a framework procurement process that can be accessed by all NHS organisations and provide support to GPs and trusts, so they can adopt this technology safely.’

The plan also said that the NHS App will be expanded to include a new ‘My NHS GP’ tool, which will handle non-urgent care enquiries using AI.

This will use ‘AI-algorithms to take a patient’s descriptions of their worries or symptoms, ask the right follow-up questions and provide personalised guidance.’ 

The plan added: ‘By 2028, My NHS GP, a new AI-enabled tool in the NHS App, will help patients better navigate the health service.

‘While this will not be a replacement for 999 in an emergency, it will help people who do not have an urgent or emergency care need, but who are struggling to find an alternative to A&E, to access more suitable care.’

As previously announced, the NHS App will also get an AI feature that will allow patients to discuss their health issues and help guide their GP consultations.

On plans for the NHS app, RCGP chair Professor Kamila Hawthorne warned that any use of AI to aid diagnosis would have to be ‘evidence-based’ and ‘rigorously evaluated’ before it is rolled out for use with patients. 

She said: ‘The NHS App has a lot of potential for improving the way patients engage with both their health and the health service, and the idea of giving people choice about how they access their care could work well if implemented correctly.  

‘As a college we’re enthusiastic about the focus on technology outlined in today’s vision, but it can’t be escaped that current NHS IT infrastructure is in urgent need of improvement and while pledges have been made to tackle this, major AI developments still feel a long way off when many GPs are reporting that their basic IT systems are slow, inefficient and can’t communicate with one another effectively.  

King’s Fund chief executive Sarah Woolnough said that historically announcements on NHS tech have been ‘big on promise’ but lacking in delivery as money has been diverted to other areas.

She said: ‘The plan says that patient use of the NHS app and AI for staff will save billions by cutting paper and reducing human effort.  

‘The plan includes proposals for how technology will improve IT so staff don’t have to spend half an hour trying to log on to their computers before they deliver clinical care.’

NHS England previously warned that GP practices ‘may still be liable’ for clinical negligence claims arising from the use of AI.