Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is using Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) that aims to improve how clinical documentation - like medical notes and letters - is produced. The aim is to improve your experience and save staff time.
What is Ambient Voice Technology (AVT)?
Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) is a digital tool that can listen to spoken words. It works in the background by listening (with your permission) to your discussion with your clinician. It then produces a summary of what has been said. After it has been checked, this summary can be used as the basis of medical notes and letters.
Why is the Trust using Ambient Voice Technology (AVT)?
Some outpatient specialty clinics at CUH are currently using Ambient Voice Technology (AVT).
The idea is that it will save time on typing up notes and letters, so clinicians have more opportunity for more face-to-face conversations with you. And, if time is saved from administrative tasks, clinicians might also be able to see more patients, so waiting times for appointments may be reduced.
Where is CUH using Ambient Voice Technology?
The Trust is using Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) in our outpatient clinics.
What are the benefits to patients of using Ambient Voice Technology (AVT)?
The idea of using Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) is that your time with your clinician will work better for you by enabling them to focus more on the conversation with you instead of typing and trying to make notes. That will also save valuable time. We are evaluating the use to see whether these possible benefits are delivered.
Can I choose not to have Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) during my appointment?
Yes. Your clinician will ask you whether you're happy for the technology to be used during your appointment. It's absolutely fine to say "No". It's entirely your decision and will not affect anything about your care.
Can I choose not to have observers present during my appointment?
Yes. As part of the evaluation process, the Trust will be placing observers in consultations to understand how clinicians use their time to capture clinical documentation with and without Ambient Voice Technology (AVT). The observers will not be collecting any information related to patients. Your clinician will ask you whether you're happy for an observer to be present during your appointment. It is absolutely fine to say "No". It's entirely your decision and will not affect anything about your care.
Is Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) secure?
All data is encrypted and locally hosted within the UK according to NHS and UK data protection (GDPR) regulations.
Information management systems are ISO27001 accredited for data security.
Access to information is limited to authorised staff, and there are clear and robust audit trails. Information about the Trust's technology security is in the Trust's data policy.
Do you store recordings of my appointment?
The audio recording of your appointment may be stored for up to 7 days. The transcript of your appointment may be stored for up to 30 days. All data is stored on UK-based servers under strict security protocols. Only clinical discussions that are relevant to your care and documentation will be added to your electronic health record as standard. Personal, sensitive or private conversations that are not related to your medical care are not added to your health record.
We follow consent protocols in line with NHS guidance.
How accurate is Ambient Voice Technology (AVT)?
Modern voice technology systems use advanced speech recognition algorithms and natural language processing. While accuracy is high, clinicians will check notes and documents before they are finalised.
How is patient privacy protected?
Your privacy is vital. You will be informed about Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) being used at the start of your appointment. You can choose to continue your appointment without the technology being used to capture your conversation.
Only the information you share during the consultation is processed. Nothing extra is recorded or used.
Your information is encrypted and security handled, compliant with GDPR (data protection) and NHS standards. The system is regularly audited and holds required security certifications, including ISO27001, SOC2 and Cyber Essentials.
Can Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) access confidential information?
The Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) system can only access information allowed by hospital policies and is designed to prevent unauthorised access and sharing of confidential patient information.
Does Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) replace human interaction?
No. Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) is designed to help, not replace human interaction. It is aimed at supporting the clinician in their work by letting them spend less time on clinical documentation and typing.
Can ambient voice technology help with accessibility?
Yes. Ambient voice technology makes accessing information and communicating easier for clinicians who may find typing or manual data entry challenging, for example because of impairments or disability.
Are the notes made during the appointment available to me in other formats?
Ambient voice technology is used to record and document your appointment conversation so it can form the basis of your electronic patient record (EPR). It can also be used to produce your clinic consultation follow-up letter.
Your clinician will review this letter before it is sent to you either by post or via MyChart if you have signed up to use our patient portal.
Further information is published on the MyChart page.
Is the system always listening?
While ambient voice technology is active during your appointment session, it only captures and converts speech to summary notes when activated by your clinician after you have given your consent.
Can ambient voice technology be used for non-clinical tasks?
No. Non-clinical or personal use is not allowed.
Who do I contact if I have questions about ambient voice technology before my appointment?
Contact your clinical team or clinic using the information at the top of your appointment letter. You an also ask questions during your appointment.