Ambient voice technology (AVT) is a digital tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help create a written summary of conversations between patients and their clinical teams.
AVT is designed to support clinical teams with note-taking and documentation, helping them focus more attention on patients during appointments. The clinical team remains responsible for checking and approving the information it produces.
AVT is part of Future Christie, our long-term transformation programme to improve patient care and staff experience. It is being introduced in phases across our outpatient services.
Early results at The Christie show that AVT can help clinic letters be completed and issued more quickly, helping patients and GPs receive important information about care sooner.
Your clinical team will ask before using AVT. Using AVT is your choice. If you do not want it to be used, your care will continue as normal.
These questions explain more about how we use AVT during appointments at The Christie.
AVT frequently asked questions
You may already use similar technology in things like voice commands on Alexa or your mobile phone.
AVT means ambient voice technology. It listens to what you and your clinical team say during your appointment.
It uses a computer to help create a written summary of your appointment.
Your clinical team checks the information before it is used.
AVT helps by:
letting staff focus on you, not typing
helping to produce your clinic letter more quickly
helping you and your GP understand your care.
No. Your clinical team is always in charge.
AVT helps with note-taking. It does not make decisions about your care.
Your clinical team checks the information it produces and remains responsible for your care.
If you agree to use AVT, it listens during your consultation to help create the written information.
You can ask us to stop AVT at any time. Just tell your clinical team.
Your clinical team does.
AVT helps them but does not replace them.
They check and edit the letter and are responsible for approving the final information.
Yes.
We provide information about AVT on our website and in our clinics. This explains what AVT is, how it is used and your choices about its use.
Your clinical team will also explain AVT and ask before using it.
You can ask questions at any time before deciding.
No. It’s your choice.
You can ask questions before you decide.
Saying no will not change your care. You will still get the same care and support.
Yes. You are in control.
You can ask us to stop AVT at any time. Just tell your clinical team. They will stop using it and record information in the usual way instead.
Your clinical team can fix it.
AVT helps them but does not replace them. They check and edit the information before approving the final letter.
AVT is used under The Christie’s information governance, privacy and data protection arrangements.
Your clinical team checks the information AVT produces before the final clinic letter is approved.
You get a written summary of your appointment in a clinic letter more quickly.
This can:
help you remember what was discussed
help you understand what happens next
give you information to share with your family or carer if you want to.
Early results at The Christie show that AVT can help clinic letters be completed and issued more quickly.
This can help patients and GPs receive important information about care sooner.
AVT is not being introduced to shorten your appointment.
It is there to help staff spend more of the appointment focused on you rather than typing or taking notes.
Not yet.
AVT is being introduced in phases across our outpatient services, with full outpatient rollout planned for completion by the first week of January 2027.
Your appointment can continue without AVT.
Your clinical team can use the usual ways of recording information about your care.
No. AVT helps with note-taking.
Your clinical team and our expert teams still lead your care.
You will receive the same care whether AVT is used or not.
AVT has been through The Christie’s clinical safety, information governance and digital assurance processes.
Your clinical team is trained to use AVT and must check and approve the information it produces.
AVT supports your clinical team. It does not replace their professional judgement.
What is said during your appointment helps AVT create written information for your clinic letter.
Your clinical team reviews and checks the letter before it is approved.
Voice recordings are not kept as part of your medical record.
Information created by AVT is handled under The Christie’s information governance and data protection arrangements.
You do not need to use online services or the MyChristie patient portal for AVT to be used during your appointment.
Please speak to your clinical team if you need information in a different way.
If you need information in a different format or need support to understand your information, please speak to your clinical team.
Please speak to your clinical team.
They can answer questions about how AVT will be used during your appointment and about your choice to use it.