Document processing in general practice: it’s the unsung hero of our operations, yet often the greatest bottleneck. Duplicate letters, inconsistent coding, backlogs stretching into the thousands – sound familiar? If you’ve ever looked at your overflowing document queue and wondered how on earth you’ll clear it, you’re not alone. But the real question is: what if AI could support you to achieve this?
The Reality of Document Backlogs
During a recent webinar on document workflow, the challenges were laid bare. Practices face mountains of letters – 150 to 200 documents a day – arriving through multiple routes: MESH, post, email. The outcome? A backlog of 800 to 1,000 documents left waiting, delayed coding, and clinicians overwhelmed with tasks that should never have reached them.
As I mentioned during the session, backlogs can feel insurmountable, even frightening. “Sometimes people are afraid to look at the numbers because it’s a bit scary,” I reflected. But ignoring the backlog doesn’t make it go away. And when the pressure builds, the impact on patient safety and clinical teams is real.
Enter AI: Smarter, Faster, and Reliable
This is where AI-powered tools like Anima’s document workflow solution come into play. AI doesn’t get tired, it doesn’t take a break, and it does exactly what you ask it to do – every single time. During the webinar, we explored how a practice reduced document processing time by over 50%, from 4.24 minutes per letter to just 2 minutes.
That’s not just faster; that’s transformational. As I said: “When you know where you are, you can work out what you need to bring it down to a reasonable level.” AI gives you control of your numbers, ensuring every document is coded correctly, summarised clearly, and prioritised for action.
The Tangible Benefits
Uzo shared the tangible results he’s seen in his practice:
•Backlogs vanished: From hundreds of documents waiting to just 20 or 30 at the end of each day.
•Fewer clinician tasks: GPs spent less time coding, more time on patient care.
•Cost savings: Practices has seen a reduction in costs of more than £19,000 annually compared to hiring full-time staff.
Perhaps most importantly, AI delivers consistency and reliability. Clinicians no longer have to second-guess whether tasks have been missed, and coding accuracy surpasses even the best manual processes.
“Be Bold Enough to Try”
As humans, we’re often sceptical of automation. But this is the moment to embrace change. As I pointed out: “We are not afraid to talk about money here.” General practice needs to balance cost and quality of care, and AI tools like this present an opportunity to save both.
It’s not about replacing people; it’s about freeing them up to focus on higher-value work. And the results? They speak for themselves.
Watch the Full Webinar to See It in Action
If you’re ready to face your backlog and explore how AI can transform your document workflow, watch the full recording now.
➡️ Join our Facebook group to access the webinar: https://www.facebook.com/groups/254788070091440
Be bold, take control, and discover what’s possible. Your future workflow is waiting. ✨