DERBY, ENGLAND: Vicky Hulland from Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) has been nominated for a HEARTS Award 2026 for her work exploring ambient voice technology in clinical practice.
Her research examined potential time savings, staff work-life balance and the practical challenges of introducing voice-based documentation. The findings helped inform a pilot by the CAMHS Triage and Assessment Team.
How Ambient Voice Technology Is Being Tested
Ambient voice technology uses voice recognition to transcribe conversations and organize the information into structured written notes. In healthcare, the technology is designed to support clinicians with clinical documentation and reduce some of the administrative work associated with recording consultations.
For children and young people’s mental health services, accurate clinical records are important for documenting assessments and supporting continuity of care. Technology that assists with documentation may help staff manage these responsibilities, but its practical value needs to be assessed in the clinical setting.
Hulland developed an interest in ambient voice technology while completing her Advanced Clinical Practitioner training. She took the initiative to obtain free trial licenses from a technology provider so that colleagues within CAMHS could explore the system.
Research Leads to a CAMHS Pilot
Hulland designed a mixed-methods study for her dissertation to examine the technology’s potential impact on clinical practice. Her research considered possible time savings, work-life balance, staff acceptance and practical requirements for implementation.
The findings helped inform a business case for introducing a pilot within the CAMHS Triage and Assessment Team. The initiative provides an opportunity to examine how ambient voice technology performs in everyday clinical work.
According to the Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust announcement about Hulland’s HEARTS Award nomination, the research provided evidence to support the proposed use of the technology and helped identify considerations for its wider implementation.
The distinction between potential benefits and proven results remains important. The project is evaluating the technology’s contribution to clinical work rather than treating improvements in efficiency as an established outcome.
Staff Training and Ongoing Evaluation
Hulland continues to use the technology during the pilot and supports colleagues in understanding how to work with the system. Her responsibilities include providing timely, clinically relevant training and exploring technical developments that may support its use.
She also works with the wider project team to measure and understand the technology’s benefits. This evaluation can help the team assess whether the system delivers practical value and what considerations may affect its use within the service.
Beyond the pilot, Hulland advocates for other digital innovations and contributes to internal and national forums. Through these activities, she shares learning and supports discussions about the role of technology in improving healthcare services.
HEARTS Awards 2026 Recognition
Hulland has been nominated in the Productivity, Sustainability and Innovation Award category at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s HEARTS Awards 2026. The category is sponsored by Patchwork Health, a healthcare workforce technology company.
Kimberley Peters, the Trust’s Transformation Lead, nominated Hulland in recognition of her leadership and contribution to the project. Peters said, “Vicky has shown fantastic leadership throughout this work.”
The award category recognizes individuals and teams who find new ways to deliver services, embrace technology and demonstrate better value for the population. Hulland’s work reflects these aims through research, staff training and the practical evaluation of a digital tool in a clinical service.
The HEARTS Awards ceremony is scheduled for 21 October 2026. The Trust is highlighting nominees in the lead-up to the event, recognising staff and teams whose contributions support its services and the communities they serve.
What the Pilot Could Mean for Clinical Documentation
The CAMHS pilot will help the team understand whether ambient voice technology can support clinical documentation in practice. Its potential value extends beyond transcription to questions about staff experience, workflow and the requirements for implementation.
The findings may inform future decisions about the technology within the service. Any wider adoption will depend on the evidence gathered through testing and evaluation, including whether the system provides meaningful benefits for clinical staff.
Hulland’s work demonstrates how staff-led research can help healthcare organizations assess digital tools before making broader implementation decisions.
