Information for patients: Use of a digital scribe in your appointment
What is a digital scribe?
Mr Machin uses a secure NHS-approved digital scribe. This tool listens to your consultation and helps your clinician create accurate, clear notes. It is designed to improve the quality of your care and reduce the amount of time clinicians spend typing.
How it works
- The digital scribe listens to the conversation between you and your clinician.
- It turns the discussion into a draft clinical note.
- Your clinician checks, edits and approves this note before it is saved to your record.
- The digital scribe does not make decisions or give medical advice.
Your privacy
Your privacy and data security are extremely important to us.
- The digital scribe processes information securely in line with NHS England (2025) guidance and UK GDPR.
- Audio is processed securely and is not stored after the draft note is created (unless stated in our privacy notice).
- Only authorised NHS systems handle your information.
- Your clinician remains fully responsible for the accuracy of your medical record.
If you have questions about how your information is used, please ask.
Your choice
Using the digital scribe is optional.
You can:
- Agree to its use
- Decline at any time
- Change your mind during the consultation
If you prefer not to use it, your clinician will take notes manually. Your care will not be affected.
What you will hear at your appointment
Your clinician may say something like:
"Before we begin, I’m using a secure digital scribe to help create my notes. I will check and edit everything before it’s saved. You can opt out at any time. Is that okay with you?"
Why we use a digital scribe
- It allows clinicians to focus more on you
- It improves the accuracy and quality of documentation
- It reduces administrative workload so clinicians can dedicate more time to patient care
Thank you for helping us enhance the quality of your care.
