Barts Health pioneers AI nurse to help more patients stay well at home
Barts Health has become the first NHS trust in the UK to introduce an AI-powered “nurse” that phones patients to collect vital health information, helping more people benefit from care at home.
The Trust has been expanding its virtual wards and remote monitoring services, particularly for patients with heart and lung conditions. These programmes allow people to stay safely at home rather than in hospital while waiting for treatment - something patients consistently say they prefer. However, they have largely relied on smartphone apps to submit readings such as blood pressure, pulse and oxygen levels, creating a barrier for some patients.
The new AI-powered telephone monitoring service, called Ovia, removes that barrier. Instead of entering readings into an app, patients receive a phone call at agreed times, answer a series of simple questions, and have their responses shared instantly with clinical teams.
The AI system supports clinicians by carrying out routine check-ins and collecting information, while healthcare professionals remain fully in control, reviewing all data and stepping in whenever needed. Patients are always told they are speaking to an AI system, ensuring transparency and helping to build trust.
This approach helps overcome digital exclusion and improves engagement with remote monitoring, enabling more patients to receive care safely at home.
The pilot is currently focusing on patients who have previously struggled to engage with digital tools. More than 30 respiratory patients are already using the remote monitoring service, including Pauline, who says she much prefers speaking over the phone to submitting readings through an app.
She said: “The voice is very clear and it phones you at a set time, so you know the call is coming. I also feel confident that the team are checking the results of my calls.”
For patients like Pauline, whose oxygen levels can fall during a cold or chest infection, the system provides an added layer of reassurance. If oxygen levels drop, the respiratory team is automatically alerted and can review the patient’s condition. This enables clinicians to intervene earlier where appropriate, including adjusting treatment such as antibiotics, helping to prevent deterioration and avoid hospital admission.
Dr Debashish Das, consultant cardiologist at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, said: “This is still early days, but we’re really excited about the potential. It could open up remote monitoring to many more patients who might otherwise miss out. In future, we also want to offer this in different languages, so more of our diverse east London communities can benefit.”
He added: “This isn’t about replacing healthcare staff - it’s about supporting them. The AI takes care of routine data collection, so teams can spend more time focusing on patient care.”
Dr Ketan Patel, respiratory consultant, said: “Using AI means we can reach patients who haven’t been able to engage with digital monitoring before, helping more people access respiratory care safely at home.”
Deji Olajide, specialist respiratory physiotherapist, said: “It takes away a lot of the routine check-in calls, which means we can spend more time supporting patients who need more complex care.”
The team is also evaluating the impact of the programme. Early findings suggest remote monitoring reduced healthcare utilisation during winter 2024/25, with the results to be shared at the European Respiratory Society Congress in September.
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