82
Hospices across England are being offered access to a new NHS-backed AI programme designed to give doctors and nurses more time with patients during the final stages of life.
Â
The initiative will provide selected hospices with free access to CLEARnotes, an artificial intelligence-powered “ambient voice” tool that listens to clinical conversations and automatically creates medical notes and documentation.
Â
Instead of spending valuable time typing up records after difficult conversations with patients and families, clinicians can focus on providing care, support and reassurance, while the technology securely captures the information needed for clinical records.
Â
The programme, delivered through the National CLEAR Programme and hosted by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, is being offered free-of-charge across inpatient and community hospice services.
Â
For many hospice clinicians, conversations about end-of-life wishes, symptom management and family concerns are among the most important parts of their role. Yet these discussions are often followed by significant administrative work. The programme aims to reduce that burden and help staff spend more time where it matters most – with patients and their loved ones.
Â
Organisations already using CLEARnotes are reporting significant benefits. Early results show:
· Up to 72% reduction in admin time
· Between 14% and 25% increases in productivity, enabling clinicians to spend more time on care and support while seeing more patients within existing clinic capacity
· Improved consistency and quality of clinical records
Â
Tony McDonald, Chief Integration Officer at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said:
“End-of-life care is built on trust, empathy and meaningful human connection. By reducing the time clinicians spend documenting conversations, this programme aims to give back valuable time for patients, families and carers during some of life’s most challenging moments. We are proud to host this opportunity, helping healthcare professionals focus on what matters most – delivering compassionate, person-centred care.”
Â
The programme offers participating hospices up to 30 CLEARnotes licences, together with funded implementation support, training and free use of the tool for six months.
Â
Unlike many technology pilots, the initiative is designed as a clinically led transformation programme focused on safe adoption, measurable impact and long-term sustainability.
Â
No impact, no payment
Â
Following the funded six-month period, organisations will only be expected to fund ongoing use where CLEARnotes has demonstrated measurable improvements in productivity, efficiency and clinical value, ensuring investment is linked directly to proven benefits. Hospices interested in applying are encouraged to attend an information webinar on 15 July before submitting an expression of interest.
