Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to allow accredited artificial intelligence assistants to perform simple administrative tasks in the NHS.

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are already supporting healthcare staff with routine administrative tasks and clinical decision making. AI-powered tools, such as ambient voice technologies, help ease the administrative burden faced by staff and make systems more efficient.

One study has found that ambient voice technologies can generate time savings of up to 30 minutes per person per day when staff are supported by AI for basic administrative tasks.

AI tools that assist with other common administrative tasks have also been developed and trialled, such as tools that can automatically generate patient discharge summaries, forecast demand for accident and emergency services, and support with staff rostering based on availability and skillsets. The former two of these examples are two of the Prime Minister’s AI Exemplars, as announced in August this year.

The Department and NHS England are working to test, support, and regulate promising new technologies that can augment, not replace, our National Health Service and care staff. In April, NHS England published guidance on the use of AI-enabled ambient scribing products in health and care settings.