We're using technology to improve your care

During some consultations, your clinician may use voice-enabled technology - otherwise known as Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) - to help create clinical documentation.

From late July 2026, we will start to roll out this technology across the Trust. We will start in the Emergency Department, gastroenterology and gynaecology outpatients – before expanding to other clinical areas.

This technology listens to the conversation between you and your clinician and uses AI to help produce a draft record of the consultation - see the poster for more information. This can reduce the time clinicians spend typing or writing notes, allowing them to focus more attention on listening, discussing your care and answering your questions.

What technology does:

✓ Helps create a draft summary of the consultation
✓ Supports the production of clinical documentation and correspondence
✓ Reduces administrative burden for clinicians
✓ Allows clinicians to spend more time focused on patient interaction

What technology does not do:

✗ It does not diagnose conditions
✗ It does not make decisions or recommendations about your care or treatment
✗ It does not replace your clinician’s professional judgement
✗ It does not make changes to your health record without review

Clinician oversight

Your clinician remains responsible for your care and for the accuracy of your health record.

Any documentation produced is reviewed, checked and approved by your clinician before it becomes part of your patient record or is shared with others.

Privacy and confidentiality

The technology is used in line with NHS information governance, data protection and security requirements.

Only information relevant to your care is processed and appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your privacy.

Questions or concerns?

Please speak to your clinician if you would like more information about how the technology is being used during your consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ambient voice technology (AVT), sometimes described as “hands-free” AI technology, is being rolled out at Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust and across hospitals in south west London.

The technology helps clinicians create clinical notes during consultations and assessments, reducing the amount of manual administration required, meaning more time can be spent focused on the patient and their care.  

No. Clinicians remain fully responsible for patient care and must review and approve records. The AI technology does not make any clinical recommendations or decisions. 

We’re rolling out voice-enabled technology in the Trust in the week commencing 27 July 2026. We will start in the Emergency Department, gastroenterology and gynaecology outpatients – before expanding to other clinical areas.

Yes, both at the Trust and at many other NHS organisations. At Kingston and Richmond, the technology has already been trialled in 10 specialties including in Paediatrics, Dietetics, Ophthalmology, Endocrinology, Dermatology, Rheumatology, Gynaecology, Neurology, Physiotherapy & Breast Services (across acute and community). Benefits from the trial included time savings and more efficient clinical documentation.  

No, providing your information to you and other care providers more quickly will support your care in and outside the hospital. The primary focus is improving patient care and reducing unnecessary administrative burden on staff. 

The conversation is recorded to produce the transcript and then immediately deleted - no one can access the recording. The technology listens to conversations during consultations and generates draft clinical notes for the clinician to review and approve. It is designed to reduce typing and administrative work.  All use of the technology follows NHS information governance, privacy and security standards.  Patients can ask staff questions at any time.  

Yes. Protecting patient confidentiality and data security is a priority. The technology is NHS approved and follows NHS protection requirements.  

Patients who have questions or concerns should speak to a member of staff. Local processes and clinical settings may differ, but patient choice and transparency remain important principles throughout the rollout and patients can opt out.  

Clinicians remain responsible for reviewing and approving all documentation. The technology produces draft notes only.  

The tool can also be used for clinicians to record directly via dictate. It can also pick up a conversation between the clinician and parent or carer. The clinician can also dictate a patient's handwritten note into the tool, and have the option of dictating their interpretation of body language to the tool once the patient has left the room.