Ambient scribing tools
Published on: 7th May 2026 | Updated on: 13th May 2026
At a glance: what pharmacy teams need to know
Ambient scribing tools can help reduce the time spent writing consultation notes.
They use voice technology and artificial intelligence to create draft clinical records, which pharmacy professionals then review and approve.
Used well, they may be able to support:
- better focus on the patient
- clearer and more consistent records
- reduced administrative burden
They do not replace professional judgement and must be used safely, transparently and in line with NHS guidance.
Ambient scribing tools are a type of ambient voice technology (AVT).
They listen to conversations during a consultation and convert speech into draft notes or letters using artificial intelligence (AI).
You may also hear them called:
- ambient scribes
- AI scribes
The key point is this:
They create drafts, not final records.
A pharmacy professional must always review, edit and approve the content before it is added to the patient record.
Community pharmacy teams are delivering more clinical, patient‑facing services than ever before.
Good‑quality records are essential, but writing them takes time and adds pressure to already busy workflows.
Used appropriately, ambient scribing tools could help pharmacies:
- spend more time engaging with patients
- reduce time spent typing during or after consultations
- support consistent, high‑quality documentation
- improve information sharing with GP practices and the wider NHS
This aligns with the NHS ambition to move from analogue to digital, and from administration to care.
In future, these tools could support note‑taking for services such as:
- Pharmacy First consultations
- structured medication reviews
- contraception services
- other clinical consultations delivered in the pharmacy
They may also help produce clear summaries to share with GP practices, where appropriate.
However, adoption in community pharmacy must be:
- service‑led, not technology‑led
- safe and user‑tested
- integrated with pharmacy systems and workflows
It is important to be clear about what these tools do not do.
They do not:
- make clinical decisions
- replace professional judgement
- remove responsibility from pharmacy professionals
- automatically update the patient record
The pharmacy professional remains fully accountable for:
- the accuracy of the record
- the clinical decisions made
- what information is shared and stored
Patients must always be told if an ambient scribing tool is being used.
This should happen at the start of the consultation.
Patients must also:
- understand what the tool does
- know how their information is used
- be able to object
If a patient does not want the tool used, it must not be used, and the consultation should continue without it.
The NHS has published national guidance on the use of AI‑enabled ambient scribing tools in health and care settings in England.
This guidance covers:
- information governance
- patient transparency and choice
- clinical safety
- accountability and oversight
Community pharmacies considering these tools should follow this guidance in full.
Useful NHS links:
Using an ambient scribing tool is very likely to require a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA).
This is because the tools:
- process health information
- involve new technology
- use automated processing
Pharmacies should:
- complete a DPIA before use
- understand where data are processed and stored
- update their privacy notice
- ensure data are not reused without a lawful basis
NHS England has published a DPIA template specifically for ambient scribing tools.
If you are considering an ambient scribing tool, you should look beyond features and ask practical questions.
For example:
- Is the supplier listed on the NHS ambient voice technology supplier registry?
- How well does the tool fit with pharmacy workflows?
- How easy is it for staff and patients to use?
- What training and support are provided?
- How does the system manage data security and privacy?
You may find this Community Pharmacy England resource helpful:
-
- Assessing IT solutions checklist – key considerations for community pharmacy
Pharmacies are encouraged to take a measured approach.
Good practice includes:
- starting with a small pilot
- limiting use to specific services
- gathering feedback from staff and patients
- reviewing safety, workflow and workload impacts
The Neighbourhood Health Framework and NHS England’s Medium Term Planning Framework promotes the greater use and trialling of ambient voice technology (AVT) in primary care to improve productivity and free up time for patient care.
Some Integrated Care Board (ICB) areas may support local pilots and rollout as part of wider primary care digital programmes.
The NHS digital Ambient scribing webpage had set out that:
“Applications for suppliers reopened on 3rd February 2026 and will remain open. Read more about the process on the Find a Tender website. The list of suppliers on our website will be updated when new suppliers are added to the list of self-certified AVT supplier.”
Q. Do patients have to give consent?
Patients must be informed and given a clear opportunity to object.
Q. Can the notes go straight into the patient record?
No. The output must always be reviewed and approved by a pharmacy professional first.
Q. Can pharmacy staff switch the tool off?
Yes. There must always be a non‑AI alternative available.
Q. Are these tools mandatory?
No. Their use is optional and should be based on local choice and readiness.
For more information on this topic please email it@cpe.org.uk
