Waiting list management with AI voice solutions

Clear backlogs, reduce delays, improve fairness
Voice AI bots contact residents, successfully collect updates in over 70% of calls, and flag urgent cases automatically, so councils and NHS teams can focus on care instead of admin

Challenge

Waiting lists are growing, straining councils and frontline teams. Residents wait longer, and chasing updates wastes valuable time

Our approach

Automated voice bots talk to residents naturally and at scale. They capture data, flag urgent cases, and keep waiting lists up to date

Impact

Cut admin by up to 85%, reach almost 90% of residents on the first call, and prioritise urgent cases instantly. Teams focus on people, not paperwork

Waiting list management solution for Richmond and Wandsworth Councils

"Reducing administrative work allows occupational therapists to spend more time with residents and focus on their core skills, improving care outcomes"
Violina Harpar, Occupational Therapy Service Manager

Solution

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils partnered with Tovie AI to pilot a voice AI assistant for managing occupational therapy waiting lists and care device recovery. The AI reached out to residents to update their status and check device usage, freeing staff from routine calls

Results

Faster prioritisation of care, reallocation of unused devices, and on-demand troubleshooting, all reviewed by OT staff to ensure accuracy. Staff could then focus on what matters most: delivering personalised care

85%

less time spent on admin work

89%

of residents reached on the first call

96%

cases resolved without repeat contactI

70%+

calls capture new and useful informationI

24 hrs

for urgent cases escalation

How it works

1. Contact

Voice AI calls residents on the waiting list, using clear conversations to gather updates on their needs and circumstances

2. Assessment

Each call checks for changes, records service requirements, and flags any safeguarding concerns

3. Prioritisation

Cases are sorted automatically:
  • Urgent cases are escalated straight to duty teams
  • Standard cases stay on the list with updated details
  • People who no longer need support are removed automatically

4. Reporting

A dashboard shows managers the list’s current status, highlights urgent cases, and supports resource planning

Benefits for Public Sector

  • Equal access, faster care – cutting waiting times for everyone
  • Transparent, accountable reporting – fully aligned with NHS standards
  • Spot risks early – protect patients and safeguard concerns
  • Maximise resources – get the most from staff and capacity
  • Build public trust – deliver fair, efficient, reliable care

Capabilities that deliver results

  • Reach hundreds instantly – no extra workload for your staff
  • Automatic alerts – safeguard residents and flag urgent needs
  • Live dashboards – track lists, trends, and risks in real time
  • Stay up to date – regular contact keeps lists accurate
  • Seamless integration – works with your phones and resident channels
  • Instant routing – urgent cases go straight to the right team
  • Measure performance – contact rates, resolution times, and efficiency gains at a glance

Tovie AI seamlessly connects to any CRM, communication channel or knowledge base

Compliance and standards

GDPR-compliant
ISO 27001-certified
Already deployed across UK councils

See how it works

Evaluate how voice AI automation can address your waiting list management challenges

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FAQs

Why is waiting list management such a challenge for UK councils and health services?

Across local authorities and NHS services, waiting lists are growing faster than staff capacity. Manual updates, inconsistent definitions between councils, and limited real-time data make maintaining fair and accurate lists hard. AI-driven automation helps by keeping lists continuously updated and transparent.

How can AI support fairer access to public services?

AI applies clear, consistent criteria for prioritisation and ensures residents in all communities are contacted equally. It provides auditable data broken down by age, ethnicity, and deprivation, supporting councils’ equality duties and NHS fairness principles.

Does this technology comply with UK data and safeguarding standards?

Tovie AI is fully GDPR-compliant, ISO 27001-certified, and Cyber Essentials-certified. The system follows local safeguarding protocols; all interactions are recorded and auditable. Sensitive cases are immediately escalated to qualified staff.

How can Voice AI help manage social care and occupational therapy waiting lists?

Voice AI contacts residents directly, gathers updates about their circumstances, and flags urgent cases. In occupational therapy, this means faster reviews, reduced admin time, and better prioritisation of residents with the highest needs.

How does Voice AI support care technology or equipment recovery programmes?

Voice AI can check whether care technology devices are being used, offer troubleshooting support, and record outcomes. When devices are not in use, the system flags them for recovery, improving resource efficiency and sustainability.

Why use voice calls instead of emails or online forms?

Voice ensures inclusion and higher engagement rates. Phone calls remain the most effective and accessible channel for reaching residents, especially older adults or those with limited digital access. Voice AI allows councils to contact hundreds of residents simultaneously, while maintaining empathy and clarity.

How does Voice AI ensure conversations feel natural and appropriate?

The AI uses advanced speech recognition and natural language understanding (NLU) combined with carefully designed conversation flows approved by council teams. Residents can speak in their own words, and the system adapts while ensuring clarity, compliance, and respect.

What kind of results have UK councils seen so far?

In recent pilots, over 70% of calls collected new or updated information, and 85% reductions in admin processing time were achieved. Staff capacity was released for frontline work, while urgent cases were escalated within 24 hours.

Can voice AI integrate with existing council systems?

Yes. The solution connects securely with case management systems, telephony platforms, Microsoft 365, and Teams. It feeds structured data directly into reporting dashboards and business intelligence tools already used by councils and NHS teams.

Does AI replace frontline staff?

No. AI supports staff by handling repetitive, time-consuming calls and data entry. This frees skilled professionals, such as occupational therapists, social workers, and housing officers, to focus on direct resident contact and complex assessments.

How quickly can a council see measurable results?

Most councils see benefits within four to eight weeks of deployment. Early adopters have cleared backlogs, shortened waiting times, and improved resident engagement without adding to staff workload.

How do residents respond to being contacted by AI?

Residents are informed that they are speaking with an AI assistant acting on behalf of their council or NHS service. The tone is friendly and professional; residents can always request a human follow-up. Feedback from pilot projects has been overwhelmingly positive.

Which services benefit most from automated waiting list management?

Voice AI and automation technology can support a wide range of UK public sector services, including: waiting list management, council tax collection and arrears recovery, care assessments, citizen engagement, voice bots, document search, and children’s services.

Why is waiting list management crucial in healthcare?

The healthcare sector faces growing demand and limited capacity. Patient waiting list management is one of the most pressing issues for providers today. Long waits can worsen conditions and reduce patient fairness. Patient waitlist management directly affects health outcomes and public trust. Without regular updates, urgent needs may be missed, putting vulnerable patients at risk.

How does AI drive innovation in healthcare waitlists?

Our approach goes beyond efficiency; it addresses systemic challenges in healthcare operations. With AI-driven waitlist management, patients receive real-time updates on their status. Automated waitlist management reduces human error and cuts delays. Every waitlist management solution is flexible, adapting to local requirements while meeting national healthcare standards.

How can organisations get started with modern waitlist management?

The first step is to evaluate your current processes. Identify where manual admin causes delays, and assess which services are most affected by long waits. From there, an AI-driven solution can be tailored to your needs, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and fairness.

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