Charity to deploy AI scribe tool across hospices and community services

The national palliative and end-of-life care charity Sue Ryder is rolling out an AI-powered clinical documentation tool across its hospices and community services, as part of a five-year partnership.

The rollout of Heidi’s AI scribe, supported by government funding, will take place over the coming months, with the tool introduced across community teams, inpatient units and bereavement services.

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Heidi’s AI scribe uses ambient voice technology to capture consultations and generate structured clinical documentation.

Under the agreement, Sue Ryder will deploy the technology across its seven healthcare services, using it to automate clinical notes, letters and forms generated during patient consultations.

The tool has recently been added to the NHS-approved ambient voice technology list. According to Heidi, it is currently deployed in 15 NHS trusts and supports 1.5 million appointments each month.

Melanie Craig, chief operating officer at Sue Ryder, said the technology would be introduced with close oversight from frontline teams.

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‘If we can show that AI, used safely and thoughtfully, improves both the care we provide and the experience of our staff, we hope it will give other hospices the confidence to follow,’ she added.

Mari Pittman, ward manager at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice in Gloucestershire, welcomed the potential efficiency benefits from the Heidi AI scribe rollout.

Ms Pittman, who is a registered nurse, said: ‘It will mean less time tied to a keyboard documenting patient notes and more time focusing on assessment, comfort measures and using my clinical judgement to make real-time decisions to benefit my patients’ care.’

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As part of the agreement, Heidi will contribute £10,000 a year to support Sue Ryder through fundraising activity and awareness-raising around the use of AI in clinical settings.

Heidi also said it would work alongside Sue Ryder teams to tailor the tool to different clinical services and track its impact over time.