Heidi Ambient AI – Frequently Asked Questions

Heidi is the Trust’s notetaking tool that helps clinicians prepare notes, letters and forms during or after your appointment, so more of the time is spent with you and less on admin. Your clinician stays in control of your record.

To increase human contact in appointments by reducing administrative tasks. Heidi supports clearer, timely documentation while your clinician focuses on you.

No. It’s your choice. You can say no at any time, whether or not you’ve said yes before – and this won’t affect the care you receive.

Yes. Even if you’ve said yes earlier in the appointment, if you prefer not to use Heidi, tell your clinician and they will take notes themselves as usual. Your care remains the same.

Your clinician checks and approves Heidi’s notes before adding them to your health record. Heidi helps create the notes, but clinicians remain responsible for the accuracy and content.

Heidi follows UK data protection law, regulations and NHS standards (including UK-GDPR, Digital Clinical Safety, and recognised cyber security frameworks).

The Heidi platform does not store patient data, keep recordings or private information, and it is used to take notes which are then safely and securely transferred to your health record, after review by the clinician you speak with in an appointment.

Heidi is a clinical tool for the NHS to support with note taking, governed by NHS standards, not a public chatbot or open‑source app. It doesn’t listen or record, capture or keep any of your conversation.

The Trust implements digital clinical safety and information governance processes (e.g., DCB0160). Heidi meets with regulations and standards such as digital clinical safety standard DCB0129, the Data Security and Protection Toolkit and recognised cyber security certifications (ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type 2, Cyber Essentials Plus).

No. Heidi’s purpose is to reduce admin so your clinician can spend more time with you. Clinical care remains person‑centred and delivered by trained professionals.

Not necessarily. Your clinician will decide whether Heidi is helpful for the services we provide and the type of appointment. You can always opt out.

Your clinician reviews and approves notes before they are added to your health record, which is handled in line with NHS confidentiality and data protection.

Heidi is a tool that makes the write up of appointments and interactions you have with us faster and more efficient. The effect of this is that follow up letters and documentation that you usually receive is likely to get to you faster too.

No. Heidi is used to help take notes. Clinical decisions are made by your clinician and your care team, in line with NHS standards and professional judgement.

You can request access to your health record using established NHS processes. Ask your clinician or visit the subject access requests page for guidance.

Please tell your clinician what helps you get the best out of your care. Heidi is used to support your appointment, your preferences, accessibility needs and reasonable adjustments come first.

Please speak to your clinician or contact our Patient Advice and Liaison (PALS) team. We welcome feedback to improve how we use Heidi to support your care.

• NHS England guidance on using AI note‑taking tools in care settings.
• Heidi Health’s UK compliance and security information.