Adopting ambient scribing products in health and care settings
Updated 16 January 2026 – see latest updates
About ambient scribing
Ambient scribing products, when combined with generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), can convert speech directly into structured medical documentation, such as notes and letters.
The products are sometimes referred to as ambient scribes or AI scribes and include ambient voice technologies (AVTs) used for clinical or patient documentation and workflow support.
This means that the caregiver can focus on the patient in front of them – rather than focusing on a computer screen – with confidence that their conversation will be captured into an accurate draft summarisation for review and validation.
A major NHS England sponsored study showed a 23.5% increase in direct patient interaction time during appointments, alongside an 8.2% reduction in overall appointment length when AI-scribes were used. A&E saw particularly strong results, with a 13.4% increase in patients seen per shift.
Supporting NHS transformation
The Medium-Term Planning Framework sets out how, over the next three years, we will return the NHS to much better health and lay the foundations for the future by reigniting local ambition to reimagine services, unlock productivity, and achieve the strategic shifts set out in the 10 Year Health Plan. It embeds the principle that services will be digital by default - meaning better care, better health outcomes, better patient experience and lower cost.
In the framework, NHS organisations are directed to deploy AVT at pace to support this ambition.
Resources
Registry
NHS England Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) Supplier Registry
A national self-certified registry of AVT suppliers is available to support and accelerate local procurement and assurance activities.
The Registry marks the first phase of national support for NHS organisations in adopting and scaling the transformative potential of AVT capabilities. It includes a list of self-certified suppliers, which is accompanied by a resource library to help inform strategy and ensure alignment with NHS England guidance.
The registry is designed to support NHS organisations better understand the readiness, capabilities, features and functionality of AVT solutions, and in turn, accelerate the adoption of AVTs across the NHS.
Suppliers can apply to be part of the registry when applications re-open in early 2026.
Note: This is not a commercial framework. Procurement will be carried out by individual NHS bodies in accordance with their own governance processes. NHS England does not endorse any of the suppliers on the AVT Supplier Registry. NHS England will only undertake preliminary completion checks against the requirements and standards.
Guidance
An overview for NHS executives and boards
High-level information for NHS senior executives and Board members on ambient scribing products that feature Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), for use across health and care settings in England.
Leading AI adoption in health settings for CIOs and CCIOs
The guidance provides an overview of ambient scribing products and key considerations for chief information officers (CIOs) and chief clinical information officers (CCIOs) leading AI adoption in health settings.
It was updated in January 2026 to provide information on the AVT supplier registry.
The Appendix offers an in-depth exploration of these considerations, providing further actionable steps for technical and product teams leading AI adoption.
Community of practice
Ambient Voice Technology Innovation and Development (AVID)
AVID is an online community created to support those who are shaping the future of AVT in health and care - including those planning or using AVT in their organisations. It is run independently by THIS Institute in partnership with The Health Foundation.
NHS England is committed to listening to feedback and learnings from the community to help shape the national approach to the safe and secure adoption of AVT. We will work collaboratively with AVID to share national guidance and plans.
Additional support
Developing a national proposition
A programme of work is underway to deliver a national proposition to support the widespread opportunity for ambient scribing and automation enabled by AI. The proposition will support all care settings to rollout assured, standardised services across England in a safe and compliant way.
Developing additional guidance
Additional guidance will be published throughout 2026 and 2027 to support the adoption of ambient scribing products for use across health and care settings in England. Further support will include:
- support templates and tools such as a business case template, example hazard logs and safety cases for risk assessments.
- guidance on further information governance considerations including a template for data protection impact assessments (DPIAs)
- guidance to support evaluation and monitoring
Latest updates
16 January 2026:
- The NHS England Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) Supplier Registry is available to support NHS providers in adopting and scaling the transformative potential of AVT capabilities.
- Join AVID (Ambient Voice Technology Innovation and Development) – an independent online community created to support those who are shaping the future of AVT in health and care.