Optimism rising towards AI in healthcare among patients and NHS primary care clinicians 

• 86% of patients would be comfortable with AI-transcription if it improved accuracy and efficiency

• 1 in 3 (34%) of clinicians working in NHS primary care believe AI scribing tools could improve patient interactions

• 70% of patients said they think AI transcription could help doctors spend more time on care

There is growing optimism among both patients and NHS primary care clinicians about the role AI could play in healthcare, according to new data.

A vast majority – 86% – of patients say they would feel comfortable with AI-powered transcription if it improved consultation accuracy and efficiency.

The findings are part of new national survey of over 1,200 patients and clinicians by Tandem Health, which also shine a spotlight on the growing administrative burden impacting the NHS and the urgent need for innovation to free up doctors to focus on care.

Meanwhile, more than 1 in 3 clinicians working in NHS primary care – such as GP surgeries – (34%) believe AI scribing tools could improve patient interaction.

70% of patients said they think the technology could help doctors spend more time on care.

Currently, more than half of UK patients feel their doctors are too distracted by paperwork to give them their full attention during appointments.

In the survey, 56% of patients said they often or sometimes felt that doctors were too busy with paperwork to concentrate fully on them.

Nearly one in four patients (22%) reported that their doctor spent most or nearly all of the consultation focused on a screen rather than the conversation.

Meanwhile, 98% of patients said it is “extremely important” that doctors spend less time on administration and more time providing direct care.

NHS primary care clinicians echoed these concerns, with 75% saying administrative tasks reduce the time they can spend with patients, and 66% believing the growing documentation burden is harming the quality of patient interactions.

The findings come as the NHS grapples with escalating demand, clinician burnout, and a workforce under pressure. Administrative tasks currently consume up to 40% of a doctor’s working day – an unsustainable figure in an already overstretched system.

Emerging technologies like Tandem Health’s AI medical scribe could offer a solution. Acting as an “ambient scribe,” the AI listens securely during consultations and automatically generates highly accurate clinical notes – freeing doctors to re-focus entirely on their patients.

Katie Baker, UK & Ireland director at Tandem Health, commented:
“Doctors want to care for patients – not fill out forms. Our research shows that both patients and clinicians are crying out for solutions that return healthcare to what matters most: the human connection. AI-powered scribing can help ease the strain, giving doctors precious time back to provide better, more engaged care.

“As demand for NHS services continues to grow, solutions that enable clinicians to work more efficiently without compromising patient care will be critical. By alleviating administrative overload, AI-driven tools like ambient scribes aim to improve patient safety, reduce clinician burnout, and enhance the overall quality of care.

“Technology should empower doctors, not replace them. By integrating AI into everyday workflows, we can reduce the administrative weight dragging doctors down, and put the focus back where it belongs: on delivering compassionate, high-quality patient care.”

With healthcare systems under strain across the UK, AI-powered innovation is set to play an increasingly vital role in improving clinician wellbeing, optimising services, and safeguarding patient outcomes.