Use of Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) in Outpatient Clinics

1. Introduction 

This Privacy Notice explains how Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) is used in outpatient clinics at the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group (UHN), including Northampton General Hospital (NGH) and Kettering General Hospital (KGH). 

AVT supports clinicians by converting spoken clinical conversations into written draft documentation, which clinicians review, amend if necessary, and approve before sending a copy to the patient, GP and downstream hospital document management systems. 

UHN is committed to protecting your personal data and being transparent about how it is used. 

2. What is Ambient Voice Technology? 

Ambient Voice Technology (AVT) is a digital documentation tool supplied by AccuRx. AVT is a smart tool that helps your healthcare team take notes during your appointment. 

  • It only listens to what you and your clinician talk about, and it never records
  • It captures your conversation in real time and turns it into a note and letter for your health record
  • Your clinician checks everything to make sure it's correct. 

You might have seen something like this if you've ever talked to your phone, used voice commands in a car, or asked a smart speaker to do something. 

Key points: 

  • AVT does not make clinical decisions
  • Clinicians are responsible for reviewing and approving all documentation.
  • Only approved information is added to the health record. 

3. Where AVT is used 

AVT is used: 

  • Initially in outpatient clinics. The Trust is also exploring its use in other clinical settings, such as the Emergency Department, MDT meetings, and inpatient areas where appropriate
  • During consultations to support clinical note‑taking 

4. What information is processed 

AVT may process: 

Personal data 

  • Name and patient identifiers (e.g. NHS number)
  • Appointment and clinic details
  • Clinician details
  • Draft and final clinical documentation 

Special category (health) data 

  • Medical history, symptoms, diagnoses
  • Medications and treatment plans
  • Information relevant to your care 

Audio data 

  • AVT writes down the words while you talk - it does not save the sound
  • Audio recordings are not stored
  • Only the text transcript is retained for documentation