Limbic Access

This information was sourced from "Limbic Access" by AI.GOV.UK, https://ai.gov.uk/knowledge-hub/tools/limbic-access/?directTo=library. Licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0.

The challenge

Accessing mental health support can be a difficult first step for many people. Traditional self-referral methods such as web forms or phone calls can be time-consuming and often feel off-putting to patients, leading to high drop-out rates. This not only delays access to care but also places additional pressure on NHS services.

The solution

Limbic Access is an AI-powered chatbot that streamlines the referral process for NHS talking therapies. It offers an interactive, patient-friendly experience, guiding users through the referral process, replacing lengthy traditional forms. It reduces administrative workload for clinicians by collecting essential patient data, screening individuals, and flagging high-risk cases for prioritisation.

The results

• There was a 30% increase in the number of patients completing their referral process.
• Assessment time was reduced by 23.5%, saving 12.7 minutes per referral.
• There was an 18% decrease in the number of patients dropping out of treatment.
• Increased triage accuracy led to 45% fewer changes in treatment.
• The system identified ineligible referrals and redirected them to appropriate services. For Mind Matters Surrey, this applied to 20% of referrals.

Learnings / insights

• Staff training supports adoption of new technology by easing the transition.