Heidi AI Scribe Helps GP Clinicians Focus on Patients 

Clinicians report better patient interactions following a pilot across 55 practices 

Almost three-quarters of clinicians responding to a general practice pilot have said an AI scribe improves their interactions with patients, while 44 per cent of respondents reported feeling less overwhelmed at work. 

The findings follow an 18-month pilot across 55 practices in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.  One Care, the member-owned GP federation for the area, ran the programme with Heidi from March 2025 to September 2026, involving clinical and non-clinical colleagues. 

Ambient voice technology creates draft consultation notes for clinicians to check and approve, reducing the need to type while listening to patients.  The pilot explored whether it could reduce administrative work while maintaining quality and safety, and supporting staff wellbeing. 

A benchmarking survey that received 250 responses at the outset highlighted the pressures facing practices.  Among clinicians, 77 per cent said documentation negatively affected their ability to engage with patients to some degree.  Of the respondents, 70 per cent spent time completing documentation outside working hours. 

In the separate end-of-pilot survey which received 109 responses, 74 per cent of clinicians reported a positive impact on patient interactions.  Around four in five respondents said they would continue using the technology.  Clinicians described being able to look up from their screens and listen more naturally.  Some also reported less documentation to finish after work and more energy at the end of the day. 

“Through our strong relationships with our 66 member practices, we knew GP staff were regularly working beyond their contracted hours to complete consultation notes, referrals, correspondence and record-keeping, at immense risk to their wellbeing and mental health,” says Morgan Daly, Deputy Digital Director (Transformation) at One Care. 

“These results show how technology can give clinicians capacity back while helping them stay focused on the patient in front of them.” 

Beyond consultation notes 

The technology also found uses outside clinical appointments.  Respondents reported using it for meeting minutes (46 per cent), dictated correspondence (39 per cent) and HR or appraisal documentation (23 per cent).  For Dr Hannah Allen, Chief Medical Officer at Heidi, One Care has shown this is about more than saving time.  “Clinicians now get the headspace to listen, notice and connect with their patients, while taking some of the pressure out of their working day,” she says.  

One Care provided hands-on implementation support, created hazard logs and held six-weekly review sessions to monitor accuracy and integration with clinical systems.  Clinicians reviewed and approved every generated note before adding it to the patient record, retaining clinical responsibility throughout.  The baseline and final surveys were not matched to the same individuals, and the findings on patient interactions reflect clinicians’ assessments rather than patient feedback. 

The benefits also extended beyond the working day, with some staff reporting less administration to complete after hours.  As Morgan says; “Clinicians are now able to leave on time and get home to their families, and that’s a game changer.”