NHS uses 'AI workers' that are eight times more efficient than human staff

An NHS Trust has started using robots to make routine referrals as part of a drive to cut costs and boost efficiency. East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) is testing the ability of new artificial intelligence technology to conduct administrative work, such as submitting scan and blood test results from GPs to hospital consultants. It claims the system is eight times more productive than using human staff. The system has been in operation at Ipswich Hospital for the past three months and has saved staff more than 570 hours of work. The Trust claims the system will save them £220,000 in the next 9 months.