A Microsoft 365 Copilot trial has demonstrated that the technology could save 400,000 hours a month for NHS staff.

The largest AI trial of its kind in the world for healthcare involved more than 30,000 NHS workers.

The trial, which took place over 90 NHS organisations, found that AI-powered administrative support could save NHS staff on average 43 minutes per staff member per day or more. A full roll-out across the NHS could save up to 400,000 hours of staff time per month, equating to millions of hours every year, enabling staff to focus more effectively on frontline care.

It is also estimated that the technology could save millions of pounds.

Health innovation minister, Dr Zubir Ahmed, said: "As an NHS surgeon and clinician, I know how frustrating it can be to be held up by archaic technology that makes day-to-day tasks painstakingly long.

"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. We’re making sure every pound is spent on cutting waiting times and boosting care through our Plan for Change."

There are various areas of the NHS the technology could be utilised. For example, over one million online Teams meetings take place across the NHS each month. With Microsoft 365 Copilot, 83,333 hours in note-taking time could be saved every month.

More than 10.3 million emails are sent in the NHS each month. The AI personal assistant could also save the health service 271,000 hours a month by summarising complex and long email chains for clinicians and staff.

Darren Hardman, CEO, 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."