Health minister visits GP surgery using AI for notes

Health minister Karin Smyth (pictured) visited St George's Surgery in Worle

A GP surgery was commended by the health minister for using artificial intelligence (AI) to try to make healthcare more efficient.

Health minister Karin Smyth visited St George's Surgery in St George, Worle, part of the Mendip Vale Medical Group in Weston-super-Mare, where she spoke to staff and patients about AI.

The surgery serves almost 14,000 patients and uses AI to automate note-taking and letter drafting, which are checked by clinicians before they are sent out.

Smyth said: "For far too long, staff have been hampered by needless administrative tasks which have held them back from doing what they do best - caring for and treating their patients."

St George's Surgery booked more than 9,000 appointments in June alone, with over half of those taking place on the same day the appointment was made.

As part of the 10 Year Health Plan, the government will support providers to rollout technology, potentially freeing up the equivalent capacity of more than 2,000 full-time GPs.

Andy Carpenter, digital director for Mendip Vale Medical Group, said: "General practice is seeing more patients than ever before, and the use of AI and digital technology is playing a vital role in helping to meet that demand."

He added they had many safety processes in place to keep patients' data safe.

"Most patients see that AI is a benefit to their patient care and are willing to have it working," Mr Carpenter said.

"I think what it does at this moment in time, it allows for GPs to have more face-to-face time."

During her visit, Smyth also had the opportunity to see other areas of AI in action, including remote fridge-temperature monitoring to prevent loss of vaccine stock.

"The use of AI technology is really key for the future, we have to make sure it's safe. We need to make sure healthcare is always well regulated. We're very actively working with clinicians to make sure we're on the right track with that," Smyth added.