New AI notetaking tools being backed by the NHS could enable clinicians to spend up to a quarter more time with patients. NHS organisations across England are being urged to use a new national registry of 19 suppliers for ambient voice technologies that capture clinician–patient conversations and use AI to generate real-time transcriptions and clinical summaries while protecting data.
These tools could save clinicians around 2–3 minutes per consultation, freeing time to see more patients. NHS England published a self-certified registry on Friday 16 January 2026, requiring suppliers to meet standards on clinical safety, technology and data protection. The registry follows NHS guidance published last year advising organisations to select AI notetaking tools that are safe, evidence-based and beneficial for patients.
Dr Alec Price-Forbes, NHS England National Chief Clinical Information Officer, said the AI revolution can transform quality, safety and patient experience while improving efficiency. He said AI notetaking will free clinicians from typing or looking at screens so they can focus on patients, enhancing consultation quality and patient satisfaction, and that NHS England is supporting safe, effective implementation to make the NHS highly AI-enabled as it shifts from analogue to digital.
Minister for Digital Government Ian Murray said AI can transform public services by cutting admin and paperwork and giving clinicians back time to care. He said the UK aims to be an exemplar for using technology to improve public services and that supporting safe, effective NHS adoption is central to that mission.
An NHS England‑sponsored study led by Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Innovation Unit (GOSH DRIVE) tested AI‑scribing across nine London NHS sites and found substantial benefits. The tool automatically transcribed consultations and drafted summarised clinical notes for clinicians to review. Over 17,000 patient encounters across hospitals, GP practices, mental health services and ambulance teams were evaluated. Results showed a 23.5% increase in direct patient interaction time and an 8.2% reduction in overall appointment length when AI scribes were used. Emergency departments saw a 13.4% increase in patients seen per shift. The study concluded AI scribing can significantly reduce clinician workload, improve care, and potentially unlock millions of pounds of additional activity if rolled out nationally.
For background: this is not a commercial framework. Procurement will be carried out by individual NHS bodies in accordance with their own governance processes.
