A trial of Microsoft’s AI-powered productivity tool across 90 NHS organisations found that the technology could save more than 43 minutes a day per staff member.
The pilot of Microsoft 365 Copilot, involving more than 30,000 NHS workers, is the largest AI trial of its kind globally in healthcare, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.
NHS England estimates that the technology could save millions of pounds every month based on 100,000 users, which could reach hundreds of millions of pounds in cost savings a year.
It works by deploying Microsoft AI directly into software such as Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Word and Excel, enabling the user to use questions or prompts to get help with tasks and workflows.
Dr Zubir Ahmed, health minister, said: “This partnership with Microsoft will help free up staff from spending time on admin so they can focus on what they want to be doing – treating patients.
“Innovations like this will help drive NHS productivity so patients can get the treatment they need sooner and there is better value for taxpayers.”
Results of the pilot, based on self-reported time savings from participants, show that a full roll-out could save up to 400,000 hours of staff time per month – equivalent to five weeks per person annually.
The trial builds on an existing partnership to provide all NHS organisations with access to Microsoft 365 productivity tools, demonstrating how the NHS can use its collective buying power to secure products at reduced cost.
Microsoft Copilot Chat is available across the NHS at no additional cost for the health service, with Microsoft 365 Copilot used by more than 50,000 staff members.
Darren Hardman, chief executive of Microsoft UK and Ireland, said: “This major trial proves the extraordinary potential of AI to transform healthcare.
“By reducing admin and giving healthcare workers back a reported 43 minutes every day, Microsoft 365 Copilot can help the NHS redirect hundreds of thousands of hours each month towards patient care and potentially save hundreds of millions of pounds every year.
“We’re proud to support the NHS in this digital transformation, which shows how AI can reduce time-consuming admin for NHS workers and so improve the quality of patient care.”
More than one million Teams meetings take place across the NHS each month and it is estimated that Microsoft 365 Copilot could save 83,333 hours in note-taking time per month.
With more than 10.3 million emails a month sent in the NHS, the AI personal assistant could also save around 271,000 hours a month by summarising complex email chains.
Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, said: “This is the latest trial to show AI has huge potential to offer major benefits to patients, staff, and health services.
“At a time when waiting lists are creeping up, the NHS workforce is under major strain and budgets are feeling the pinch, any measures that help free up NHS staff time to focus on frontline care and boost productivity should be welcomed.”
NHSE will work with trusts to consider wider implementation as part of the broader digital transformation programme.
