Artificial Intelligence being trialled by South East Coast Ambulance Service
Clinicians could save time using AI transcription technolog
South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) is testing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in its Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) in a bid to improve efficiency and allow clinicians to provide support to more patients.
The AI tool uses ambient voice transcription to listen to conversations between SECAmb clinicians and patients, digitally converting spoken words into structured medical notes.
Although clinicians still need to check and approve the transcribed notes, the time spent manually writing them after calls is expected to reduce.
The technology, developed by AI company Tortus, has previously been trialled at Great Ormond Street Hospital and other clinical sites.
SECAmb’s AI pilot to run until 2026
SECAmb’s pilot, set to end in February 2026, is part of wider trials in the ambulance service sector, including testing by London Ambulance Service and South Western Ambulance Service.
SECAmb clinicians in EOCs play an important role in providing detailed telephone assessments, offering medical advice and directing patients to appropriate alternative services.
Emma Webber, Clinical Operations Manager for Integrated Care at SECAmb, said the transcription technology could help clinicians save time and reduce administrative processes.
"We are keen to see how this technology and the transcription of assessments can offer time savings for our clinicians as well as provide a consistent clinical record that is shared with other healthcare professionals," Webber said.
"The technology should support our staff to focus more on the patient as well as remove some of the administration processes that can be time consuming."
Commitment to innovation in healthcare
Nick Roberts, SECAmb’s Chief Digital Information Officer, highlighted the importance of exploring innovative technologies to enhance patient care.
"We are committed to trialling innovative technology to establish ways we can improve efficiency and patient care," Roberts said.
"This is in line with our clinically-led strategy and the overall NHS 10-year plan. Artificial Intelligence applications are already changing the way we will work across all industries, including healthcare."
Roberts added that the results of the pilot would provide valuable insights into integrating AI in the future.
"It is important that we take time to learn about the opportunities it can offer and how to safely use the technology to improve patient care."