{
  "id": 4588375,
  "title": "Doctors’ AI scribes get names of drugs and diagnoses wrong, NHS watchdog warns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/doctors-ai-scribes-get-names-of-drugs-and-diagnoses-wrong-nhs-4588375",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-31T06:00:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Technology",
    "slug": "guardian-technology",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/aug/31/doctors-ai-scribes-get-names-of-drugs-and-diagnoses-wrong-nhs-watchdog-warns"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An NHS watchdog has cautioned that AI scribes, used to transcribe patients' consultations with doctors, may put individuals at risk by inaccurately recording drug names and diagnoses. In one incident, a woman's consultation summary incorrectly stated she had demyelination, potentially leading to a misdiagnosis of multiple sclerosis. However, she corrected the error when she pointed out the inaccuracy, causing her trauma. Similar issues arose when AI scribes confused prescription drugs with similar names and missed crucial instructions given by hospital consultants.\n\nHealthwatch England, the statutory NHS patient champion, has uncovered multiple instances where patients have noticed errors in AI-generated summaries that went undetected by healthcare professionals. These inaccuracies could end up in patients' medical records, potentially affecting their care. Unless detected, errors may persist in records, leaving patients unaware of the mistakes.\n\nThe government's 10-year health plan for the NHS in England aims to integrate AI scribes to alleviate the administrative burden on doctors, freeing up time for patient care. However, Healthwatch England is urging clarity on how patients can report and rectify mistakes made by AI scribing tools or their human counterparts. Rachel Power, CEO of the Patients Association, emphasized the need for trust and confidence in the technology, which currently lacks effective communication and patient involvement.\n\nA concerning aspect is that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has chosen not to classify AI scribes as medical devices, implying no England-wide oversight to ensure their safety and effectiveness. GPs and hospital doctors in England already utilize 27 different AI scribes, with potential legal ramifications if mistakes lead to patient lawsuits. Dr. Shier Ziser Dawood, a London-based GP, previously warned that AI scribes could become a \"double-edged sword,\" potentially increasing workloads and causing errors.\n\nDr. Charlotte Blease, an AI expert from Uppsala University in Sweden, highlighted that AI can make mistakes, particularly when consultations involve multiple people, patients with complex medical histories, or non-English speakers. Despite this, more than half of the surveyed GPs believed AI-generated records were more accurate than those created manually.",
  "summary": "Exclusive: Patients identify errors in consultation transcripts that are missed by GPs, Healthwatch England finds AI technology that listens to and transcribes patients’ consultations with doctors can put them at risk by getting the names of drugs and illnesses wrong, an NHS watchdog has warned. In one case a woman was left badly shaken when the AI scribe’s summary of her conversation wrongly…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Guardian Health",
        "title": "Doctors’ AI scribes get names of drugs and diagnoses wrong, NHS watchdog warns",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/doctors-ai-scribes-get-names-of-drugs-and-diagnoses-wrong-nhs",
        "published": "2026-08-31T06:00:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}