UK Doctors Are Using Unapproved AI Solutions to Record Meetings with Patients

Health leaders in England have issued a strong warning to doctors and hospitals, urging them to stop using certain AI tools that may violate data protection laws and endanger patient safety. 

The alert from NHS England comes just weeks after previous guidance encouraging the use of AI-based notetaking tools, specifically Ambient Voice Technology (AVT), which helps doctors spend less time on paperwork and more time with patients. 

Back in April, NHS England encouraged the use of AVT and laid out basic national criteria for its deployment. But according to a recent letter signed by the NHS England national chief clinical information officer, some AVT systems currently being used are not meeting those minimum criteria. 

The letter stated that several AI vendors are offering solutions to NHS organizations without adhering to NHS safety and governance protocols. It warned that using such tools could jeopardize patient safety, cause data privacy issues, create financial liabilities, and disrupt the NHS’s broader digital plans. 

While NHS England sets basic requirements for tech use, it does not mandate specific software products for hospitals or GPs. This has led to calls for more decisive leadership in guiding NHS providers as to what is safe and appropriate to use. 

According to the British Medical Association’s GP committee deputy chair Dr. David Wrigley, many doctors lack the technical know-how to evaluate AI products and need support in determining what’s safe and effective. He stated that national health bodies need to provide support to ensure the tools are secure, reliable, and suitable for use in consultations. 

“We’re open to innovation,” Dr. Wrigley said. “But it has to be introduced responsibly. If everyone starts using whatever tool they like, we risk leaks, lost data, and serious security concerns.” 

The rising number of unknown AI companies pushing their products into clinics has sparked fears among professionals. With so many NHS bodies operating independently, it’s unclear who will separate useful tools from risky ones. 

Matthew Taylor, head of the NHS Confederation, called the recent letter a key moment. He said that although innovation is vital, the NHS must better assess which tools are safe. He added that government support in procurement decisions is essential, similar to how medical devices are regulated. 

Among those already using approved AVT tools is Dr. Anil Mehta. He demonstrated how he uses a software called Accurx Scribe, which has been developed in full compliance with NHS England’s AVT guidelines. Dr. Mehta shared that the tool helps him reduce time spent on admin tasks by as much as 30%. He said his patients have responded positively once the purpose and safeguards of the technology are explained. 

“Confidentiality remains intact,” he explained. “Whether I’m talking to a vulnerable teenager, an adult, or a parent with a child, nothing about the privacy of that interaction has changed.” 

The company behind Accurx Scribe reportedly meets with NHS England on a weekly basis to help align the software with national standards and support broader rollout efforts across the healthcare system. 

The increasing use of AI to record the conversations between patients and their healthcare providers in the UK shows that AI is making its way into different sectors in the same way that firms like Thumzup Media Corp. (NASDAQ: TZUP) are deploying this technology in social media marketing for businesses. 

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