AI scribes, smarter audits, and a new patient portal: where NZ healthcare is moving now
New Zealand providers are leaning into AI to clear admin backlogs and protect clinical time. A Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) survey reports two-thirds of private providers have used or considered AI, with ambient scribes and admin automation leading the way. Clinical tools such as imaging remain in pilot stages. Workforce shortages are the trigger; compliance, affordability, and integration are the brakes.
Two ambient scribe tools - Heidi Health and iMedX - are formally endorsed for trial across public health services. Providers are also seeking finance and advice to scale adoption. The takeaway: AI is shifting from curiosity to utility, starting where it removes paperwork and boosts throughput.
What the BNZ survey signals for healthcare leaders
- Adoption focus: AI scribes and administrative automation first; clinical imaging tools are still in pilots.
- Drivers: Persistent workforce pressures and the need to reclaim time for patient care.
- Barriers: Compliance obligations, affordability, and system integration hold back progress.
- Support needs: Providers are looking for financing and practical guidance to move from pilots to standard practice.
For context on public sector trials, see Te Whatu Ora's work with ambient scribe pilots here.
Hato Hone St John: AI-assisted clinical audits
Hato Hone St John tested a sovereign large language model trained on its clinical practice guidelines to support audits across its emergency ambulance service. The proof-of-concept showed potential to review large volumes of data, assess documentation quality, and deliver structured feedback to strengthen clinical safety. The service treats nearly 700,000 patients per year and partnered with Spectrum Consulting, IBM, and KPMG New Zealand.
Why it matters: audit cycles can be faster, documentation gaps surface sooner, and feedback loops tighten without adding pressure to clinical teams.
MediRecords launches a cloud-based patient portal
MediRecords introduced a new cloud portal that replaces its mobile app and booking tools. Patients can book appointments, access and share results, view medications, manage digital consent, and complete care team tasks. The portal is integrated with MediRecords' practice management system to improve visibility and streamline workflows. Current app and booking tools will be phased out by 2026.
How to act on this now
- Start where ROI is clearest: pilot an ambient AI scribe in one clinic or specialty with high documentation load.
- Set guardrails early: update clinical governance, consent flows, and audit trails before scaling.
- Plan integrations: map data flow to your PMS/EHR and ensure API pathways, identity, and role-based access are in place.
- Measure impact: track admin time saved, documentation quality, turnaround times, and patient/clinician satisfaction.
- Structure the buy: explore financing options and vendor models that align with usage and outcomes.
- Upskill teams: give clinicians and admins short, scenario-based training on prompts, data handling, and exception workflows.
Practical checklist
- Privacy and security review, including data residency and retention.
- Clinical validation plan with small cohorts and clear success criteria.
- IT integration plan with rollback paths and staged rollouts.
- Change management: quick-start guides, help desk scripts, and feedback channels.
- Contract terms covering uptime, support, liability, and exit.
Resources
- Upskilling for teams adopting AI in care settings: AI courses by job
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