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Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) is one of the most talked about innovations in healthcare right now. Promising to reduce administrative burden, improve clinical workflows, and give clinicians more time to focus on patients, it’s no surprise that interest continues to grow.

Over the summer, we brought together colleagues from across Yorkshire and the Humber for two regional co-design workshops as part of the national Health Innovation Network AVT programme. Participants represented a broad range of organisations, including primary care, acute trusts, community services, mental health providers, integrated care boards, and NHS England regional teams.

The conversations were open, insightful, and practical. While organisations are at different stages of their AVT journey, there was a clear appetite to learn from one another and better understand how these technologies can be implemented successfully.

Navigating a rapidly evolving market

One of the strongest messages from the workshops was the need for support in navigating the growing AVT supplier landscape. With new products and capabilities emerging quickly, many organisations are finding it difficult to compare solutions and understand which products best meet their needs. Participants highlighted a need for independent supplier comparisons, practical procurement advice, support with business case development, and opportunities to learn from organisations that have already implemented AVT.

There was also recognition that the technology is evolving fast. While much of the current focus is on clinical documentation, organisations are increasingly interested in how AI-enabled solutions might support wider administrative workflows in the future.

Workforce wellbeing is a key benefit

Although productivity gains often dominate discussions about AVT, workshop participants consistently emphasised workforce wellbeing.

Those already using AVT described benefits such as reduced administrative burden, less time spent completing notes outside working hours, and improved work-life balance for clinicians. For many, the technology is not simply about saving time; it is about making clinical practice more sustainable.

What stood out was a shared view that success should be measured through more than efficiency metrics alone. Any meaningful evaluation of AVT should also consider its impact on staff wellbeing, job satisfaction, and retention.

Building confidence and capability

Successful adoption of AVT requires more than introducing a new piece of technology. It also requires people to feel confident using it.

Participants highlighted varying levels of digital maturity across organisations and recognised the importance of education, engagement, and change management. Many expressed a desire for practical resources to improve digital literacy and strengthen understanding of AI technologies.

There was a strong sense that organisations would benefit from shared learning opportunities that help staff understand not only how AVT works, but how it can be used safely and effectively in day-to-day practice.

Getting governance right

Governance emerged as another significant theme throughout the workshops.

Organisations are working through a range of considerations, including information governance, data protection, clinical safety requirements, medical device regulations, and system integration. Keeping pace with evolving guidance can be challenging, particularly where specialist expertise and capacity are limited.

Participants highlighted the value of practical guidance, shared resources, and peer learning to help organisations address governance requirements with confidence.

Keeping patients at the centre

While AVT is often discussed in terms of operational benefits, participants were equally interested in its impact on patients.

Organisations already using the technology reported that clinicians can spend less time focused on note-taking and more time engaging directly with patients. This creates opportunities for more natural conversations and improved consultation experiences.

However, attendees were clear that public trust must remain a priority. Transparent communication about how AVT is used and how patient information is protected will be critical to supporting wider adoption.

Looking ahead

Perhaps the most encouraging message from both workshops was the willingness of organisations to work together. Participants consistently valued hearing real-world experiences, sharing lessons learned, and exploring common challenges as a region.

The insights gathered through these sessions are already helping shape the next phase of our AVT programme. In response to the needs identified, Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber will be developing a Community of Practice alongside a series of focused webinars covering topics such as procurement, governance, implementation, evaluation, and benefits realisation.

The enthusiasm, curiosity, and openness demonstrated throughout these discussions show that the region is ready to embrace the opportunities AVT presents. By continuing to share learning and support one another, we can help ensure these technologies deliver meaningful benefits for clinicians, organisations, and most importantly, patients.

Read in this article how NHS England and the Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber are supporting the adoption of Ambient Voice Technology through the Health Innovation Network AVT Programme.