Freedom of Information Request – Ref: FOI 013-2026
Thank you for your recent Freedom of Information request. Please find our response below.
You asked:
AI Use in Operations
1. Does your organisation currently use any form of Artificial Intelligence (AI) or automated systems in its operations?
o If yes, please list the tools or systems in use and provide a brief description of their purpose (e.g., administrative support, triage, analytics, chatbot services, etc.).
o If not, please state whether your organisation has explored or piloted any AI-based technologies in the past 3 years.
Our response:
No, we are however currently piloting the use of Co-pilot in the Trust in its business.
You asked:
AI for Decision-Making
2. Does your organisation use AI or algorithmic systems to support or inform decision-making in any area (e.g., resource allocation, risk assessments, case prioritisation)?
o If yes, please describe the type of decision-making supported and the nature of the AI’s role (e.g., advisory, automated assessment, automated decision).
o Please also confirm whether human oversight is applied.
Our response:
No.
You asked:
AI Chatbots and Customer Interaction
3. Does your organisation currently use chatbots or virtual assistants—AI-driven or rules-based—to support public enquiries or internal staff functions?
o If yes, please specify their purpose, whether they are AI-based, and when they were implemented.
Our response:
No.
You asked:
Policies and Governance
4. Does your organisation have any formal policy, strategy, or guidance relating to the use of Artificial Intelligence or automated decision-making?
o If yes, please supply a copy or provide a link.
o If not, please indicate whether such a policy is in development.
Our response:
No, the Trust is currently developing an AI policy which is working its way through a consultation.
You asked:
Data Protection and Ethics
5. If AI systems are used, what measures or frameworks does your organisation have in place to ensure:
o Compliance with data protection and privacy obligations
o Transparency for service users
o Ethical or responsible use
(For example, DPIAs, algorithmic impact assessments, ethical guidelines—if applicable.)
Our response:
Where AI is to be utilised there will be a corresponding DPIA, that will cover off transparency, ethical and responsible use.
You asked:
Trials, Pilots, or Future Plans
6. Has your organisation run any pilots, trials, or exploratory projects involving AI in the last 3 years, or does it plan to do so in the next 12–24 months?
o If yes, please provide brief details of the purpose, timeline, and status of these initiatives.
Our response:
Yes, copilot, principally the purpose being explored is administrative support, this is currently ongoing.
You asked:
Staff Training and Awareness
7. Does your organisation provide any training, guidance, or internal communications to staff relating to AI, its use, or its implications?
o If yes, please describe the type of training or include documents if available.
Our response:
Currently, as we have not completed our consultation there is no active training, guidance or active communications relating to use of AI and implications.
Next steps:
Should you have any queries in relation to our response, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you are unhappy with the response you have received in relation to your request and wish to ask us to review our response, you should write to:
Louise Moss
Head of Legal Services / Associate Director of Corporate Governance
c/o Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
Edward Jenner Court
1010 Pioneer Avenue
Gloucester Business Park
Brockworth, GL3 4AW
E-mail: louise.moss@ghc.nhs.uk
If you are not content with the outcome of any review, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for further advice/guidance. Generally, the ICO will not consider your case unless you have exhausted your enquiries with the Trust which should include considering the use of the Trust’s formal complaints procedure. The ICO can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.