Ambient scribe technology in primary care: expert insights from HTN Now
At a time when ambient scribe technology is making waves in primary care, Lexacom’s founder and managing director Dr Andrew Whiteley, joined an expert panel at HTN Now to discuss how these rapidly evolving capabilities are shaping clinical practice, and what it means for the future of healthcare.
Chaired by HTN’s Jon Wilson, the panel also featured Dr Dom Pimenta (Tortus AI), Dr Shanker Vijayadeva (GP and NHS England clinical lead), Rhod Joyce (Deputy Director of Digital Transformation, NHS England), and Dr Hannah Allen (Chief Medical Officer, Heidi Health). Together, they explored the promise, complexity and practicalities of deploying ambient AI in frontline settings.
From paper to platform
Opening with a brief personal history, Dr Whiteley shared the journey that led him to create Lexacom. What started as a solution to the inefficiencies he faced as a practising GP has grown into a leading clinical documentation platform, used by more than 60% of UK GPs.
Now, Lexacom is taking another leap forward, combining ambient AI, speech recognition, and intelligent workflow tools in a single, unified platform. “AI is a revolution,” said Dr Whiteley. “It has changed the way that doctors can actually function. It will save them so much time and provide opportunities for more accurate, higher-quality notes.”
“We’re asking GPs to adopt a fundamentally different way of working. That’s exciting, but understandably daunting. Our job is to make it intuitive, transparent, and safe.”
Trust, transparency and practical support
Throughout the panel, Dr Whiteley championed a pragmatic, clinician-first approach to adopting ambient AI. He noted that GPs need simplicity; tools that fit into their working day without disruption. Lexacom is supporting this shift with structured onboarding packs, guidance around clinical safety and compliance, and a firm commitment to transparency.
Dr Whiteley emphasised the importance of educating users about what AI can and cannot do. “We’re very open with our customers. We explain the capabilities of the system, how it works, what it’s doing with the data, and how it’s likely to evolve.”
This patient-centric mindset also extends to how the technology is experienced on the ground. Lexacom’s platform includes features like Patient Shield® to redact sensitive data before processing, and CertifAI, a post-AI validation layer designed to eliminate hallucinations and ensure that only accurate, clinician-verified notes are returned to the patient record.
Bringing patients into the conversation
While the discussion focused on safety, governance and clinical integration, Dr Whiteley highlighted the role of patients in this technological shift. “We think patients should understand what’s happening and why,” he said. “In our system, they can receive instant, readable summaries of their consultations. It’s a powerful way to improve trust and reinforce the doctor-patient relationship.”
As other panellists agreed, early evidence suggests patients are not only accepting of ambient AI, they often appreciate the increased attention and face-to-face interaction it enables.
Looking ahead: collaboration is key
While the potential of ambient scribe technology is clear, the panel repeatedly returned to a central theme: deployment is complex, and no single stakeholder can do it alone. There was strong consensus around the need for shared frameworks, coordinated safety standards, and consistent clinical education, with Dr Whiteley calling for a centralised manual of best practice to help practices implement AI safely and confidently.
The webinar closed on an optimistic note, with all speakers recognising the enormous opportunity ambient AI presents, not just to improve documentation, but to revitalise the experience of being a GP.
As Dr Whiteley stated: “This is about restoring the joy in practising medicine.”
