A trial of Microsoft’s AI assistant, Copilot, suggests it could reduce administrative work for NHS staff and free more time for patient care, according to a director involved. The findings matter because the NHS is under pressure to improve productivity while managing staff workloads and long waiting lists.

Participants reported saving an average of 43 minutes a day using the tool for tasks such as summarising meetings, managing emails and drafting documents. The trial involved around 30,000 staff across 90 NHS organisations, with estimates suggesting a wider rollout could save up to 400,000 staff hours each month; these are projected savings based partly on user reports.