AI Medical Scribes: A Game-Changer for UK General Practice?

As a practicing GP, I've witnessed firsthand the increasing pressures on general practice in the UK. From mounting paperwork to shrinking consultation times, many of us find ourselves spending more time looking at our screens than at our patients. But what if technology could actually help us be more present during consultations, rather than pulling us away?

AI-augmented medical scribes are emerging as a potential solution, automatically transcribing consultations and generating draft clinical notes. For those of us who haven't explored AI tools in practice yet, this technology could be the perfect entry point to enhance efficiency without requiring technical expertise.

What Are AI Medical Scribes?

AI medical scribes use artificial intelligence to listen to your patient consultations and automatically generate clinical notes. Think of them as a virtual assistant that handles the documentation while you focus on the patient.

Two platforms gaining traction in UK general practice are Heidi Health ("Heidi") and Tortus. Both offer similar core functionality but differ in their integration capabilities and deployment models.

Current Capabilities and NHS Integration

Heidi Health

• NHS Integration: Currently not directly integrated with EMIS or SystmOne, meaning GPs must copy-paste Heidi's output into their clinical system

• Deployment: Being used by individual GPs through its web interface or phone app, with formal trials underway in regions like Devon ICS

• Notable Adoption: The Modality Partnership (a 53-site GP super-partnership) announced a rollout of Heidi across all its practices in January 2025

Tortus (O.S.L.E.R.)

• NHS Integration: Partnered with integration specialists xyCare to build direct links with EMIS, SystmOne, and Vision GP systems, allowing one-click insertion of notes

• Deployment: Being trialed across multiple NHS settings, including an NHS-funded evaluation of 5,000 patient consultations

• Regulatory Progress: Has achieved NHS Digital's DTAC compliance and become a Crown Commercial Service supplier

Beyond Time-Saving: Hidden Benefits of AI Scribes

While efficiency is the obvious draw, early adopters have discovered several additional advantages:

More Complete and Accurate Notes

AI doesn't get tired or forget details. It captures everything said during the consultation, creating a safety net for those small but significant details you might miss while focusing on the patient's next question.

As Dr. Misra-Sharp noted about using Heidi, it "reduces the risk of errors and omissions in my note taking." This improved documentation quality can lead to better-informed decisions and fewer mistakes.

Reduced Cognitive Load

Documentation isn't just time-consuming; it's mentally taxing. By handling the transcription, AI scribes allow you to focus entirely on the patient without mentally juggling conversation and note composition.

GPs report significantly lower stress during consultations. Even when the AI-drafted notes need editing afterward, your brain gets a break during the consultation itself – reducing fatigue over a full clinic day.

Improved Patient-Doctor Interaction

Perhaps the most compelling benefit is enhancing the human side of the consultation. Early users consistently report that not typing during appointments makes a tremendous difference in communication.

"I can spend my entire time locking eyes with the patient and actively listening. It makes for a more quality consultation," shared Dr. Misra-Sharp in a BBC News report. In the Modality trial, 80% of GPs felt Heidi helped them build better rapport with patients.

Applications in Training and Reflection

An emerging use case is leveraging these tools for medical education and professional development. Having a verbatim transcript and AI-generated summary opens new doors for GP trainees and trainers.

Some GPs report that using an AI scribe feels like having a supervisor or medical student in the room, encouraging more thorough and explicit communication. These transcripts can facilitate reflective learning – doctors can analyze how they phrased questions or whether they missed any cues in the conversation.

Implementation Considerations: Governance and Data Protection

Before rolling out AI scribes across your practice, several important governance considerations need addressing. Practices should develop a comprehensive AI implementation policy that outlines how these tools will be used, who is responsible for reviewing AI-generated notes, and protocols for handling errors or discrepancies.

Data protection requirements are equally crucial and potentially complex. You'll need to ensure any AI scribe solution is fully GDPR compliant, has completed a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA), and addresses questions about where patient data is processed and stored. Patient consent processes need careful consideration, including clear explanations about how their consultation data will be used and appropriate opt-out mechanisms. These governance aspects are beyond the scope of this introductory article, but if you're interested in a detailed guide on navigating the data protection and governance requirements for AI implementation in general practice, please comment below – we'd be happy to produce a follow-up piece addressing these important considerations.

Getting Started: Practical Considerations

If you're considering implementing an AI scribe in your practice, here are some practical steps to get started:

1. Check Integration Options: Determine whether direct integration with your clinical system is critical for your workflow, or if you're comfortable with copy-paste methods initially

2. Start Small: Consider a pilot with one or two interested GPs before full practice adoption

3. Address Patient Consent: Develop a simple process for informing patients and getting verbal consent

4. Review and Edit: Remember that AI-generated notes should always be reviewed and edited before finalizing

5. Monitor Outcomes: Track not just time saved but also qualitative benefits like reduced stress and improved patient interaction

Conclusion: Worth Exploring

While neither Heidi nor Tortus offers a magic bullet for GP workload, they provide meaningful improvements in documentation quality, clinician focus, and patient experience. As these technologies continue to mature and integrate more seamlessly with our clinical systems, they represent a promising step toward more efficient and humane general practice.

For GPs looking to dip their toes into healthcare AI, medical scribes offer a relatively straightforward entry point with immediate practical benefits. The technology handles the technical aspects, leaving you free to do what you do best – care for your patients.

Dr. David Stokes is a practicing GP with an interest in healthcare technology and practice efficiency.