Healthcare Providers Form AI-Focused Joint Venture for GP Clinics
Four major healthcare providers in New Zealand have joined forces to help general practitioners (GPs) adopt new technologies, with a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI). The joint venture, named Health Accelerator, is a collaboration between four Primary Health Organisations (PHOs): Pegasus, Pinnacle, ProCare, and the non-profit Tū Ora Compass Health.
Together, these PHOs support or own more than 500 general practices nationwide, covering roughly half of New Zealand’s GP clinics. They serve over two million patients, making this initiative a significant step in integrating AI into mainstream healthcare services.
Funding and Focus
While the PHOs receive public funding for their GP services, Health Accelerator is funded entirely through private sources, though the exact amount remains confidential. Its initial focus is on digital and AI-driven innovations, including digital assistants and robots that handle both clinical and administrative tasks.
ProCare, one of the joint venture partners, is already trialling AI transcription software from Australia’s Heidi Health. This technology can save doctors about seven minutes per 15-minute consultation by automatically taking notes. The insights gained from these trials will be shared across all the PHOs involved in Health Accelerator.
AI Tools in Practice
One of the first innovations deployed nationwide through Health Accelerator is a robot system designed to support cardiovascular disease risk assessments. This tool also helps ensure practices claim all applicable ACC funding.
Additionally, two AI tools have been introduced to manage GP inboxes more efficiently. The venture is actively exploring other AI applications, with AI scribes—tools that convert patient conversations into medical notes—high on the list.
Government and Health NZ Initiatives
On July 1, the Associate Minister of Health approved Pharmac and Medsafe to explore AI applications to accelerate drug testing and approval processes. Meanwhile, Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) has greenlit the trial use of AI scribes in clinical settings.
The National Artificial Intelligence and Algorithm Expert Advisory Group, in cooperation with privacy and security experts, has endorsed two ambient AI scribe tools from Australian start-ups iMedX and Heidi Health. The group is open to expanding the trial and is seeking input from clinicians on other potential AI products.
GP Experience with AI Scribes
Wellington GP Dr. Emily Cavana has tested AI transcription tools, including Nabla, a European competitor to Heidi Health and iMedX. She notes that while the AI drastically reduces the time spent transcribing notes—from minutes to seconds—doctors still need to review and correct the AI's output.
Dr. Cavana points out that AI scribes reduce mental load, which is beneficial when seeing 24 to 26 patients daily. They provide a solid baseline for medical notes and free up time otherwise spent on documentation during breaks. Another advantage is that doctors can focus on patients instead of keyboards.
That said, she found that personally writing notes helped her remember details better. Accuracy is generally good but depends on clear audio input and the individual doctor's workflow. There have been instances where the AI either misinterpreted conversations or omitted crucial information, such as patient warnings, which could have legal implications.
Obtaining patient consent for AI use has not been problematic, with most patients showing interest and acceptance. Dr. Cavana emphasizes that while AI is widely discussed among GPs, not everyone has adopted it yet, and usage varies.
Looking Ahead
The collaboration among PHOs through Health Accelerator, combined with national trials supported by Health NZ, signals a growing commitment to integrating AI in general practice. These efforts aim to improve efficiency, reduce administrative burdens, and enhance patient care.
For healthcare professionals interested in learning more about AI applications and upskilling in this area, exploring Complete AI Training's courses tailored for healthcare workers can be a valuable resource.
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