Digital AI assistant helps transform cataract care

To help more patients and improve cataract care, Ophthalmology teams at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust have introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) conversational agent to enhance care for cataract patients before and after their surgery.

The AI-powered automated voice system, called Dora, is able to call patients to ask questions, understand their answers and accurately identify responses indicating the need for clinical review.

Dora is being used to call eligible patients during pre-operative assessment and pre-surgery to check important details, and is now beginning to be used for pre-surgery reminder calls.

The Ophthalmology department care for over 65,000 patients a year and the innovative technology is helping minimise delays and make sure theatre time is used effectively.

Head of Nursing for  the Head and Neck directorate, Claire Manneh said “This is all about getting the right patient, in the right place at the right time. Using Dora we can make sure we use resources as efficiently as possible, while also improving patient experience.

“Using AI technology to improve the cataract pathway is better for our patients and it’s better for our staff, giving them back more time to care for patients with more complex conditions.”