More than half a million NHS staff are being given access to new artificial intelligence tools, that could save an average of two days every month.
505,000 clinicians and support staff will be given access to Microsoft 365 Copilot. This will help clinicians to draft documents and analyse data more efficiently to focus more time on patient care.
The announcement follows the largest I trial of its kind globally in healthcare, which provided more than 30,000 NHS workers across 90 NHS organisations with access to Microsoft 365 Copilot. The trial found that AI-powered administrative support could save an average of 43 minutes per staff member per day or more, which equates to five weeks of time per person annually.
A full rollout of Microsoft 365 Copilot could save millions of hours of staff time per month.
Rob Thompson, Chief Digital, Data and Technology Officer at NHS England said: “The NHS wants to embrace cutting-edge technology and this Microsoft partnership will mean staff can be freed from admin so they can focus more of their time on what matters most – improving care for patients.
“Innovations like this will help drive NHS productivity so patients can get the treatment they need sooner and there is better value for taxpayers.
“The potential to save NHS staff around 2 days of admin time every month could be a gamechanger for patients.
“As part of our 10 Year Health Plan, we’re making sure every pound is spent on cutting waiting times and boosting care”.
Health Innovation and Safety Minister Preet Kaur Gill said: “Technology should support our NHS staff, not slow them down.
“Every day, doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals spend valuable time on administrative tasks that take them away from patients. By rolling out Microsoft Copilot across the NHS, we can reduce that burden, free up clinicians’ time and help staff focus on what they do best caring for patients.
“This government is putting innovation to work for patients: helping staff work more efficiently, improving productivity and supporting a modern NHS that delivers better care, faster access to treatment and better value for taxpayers”.
