Small team. Big ambition. We don't stand still – because working smarter helps us to focus on what matters most.
The challenge we identified
As pressures on General Practice have intensified, so too has the demand on Local Medical Committees (LMCs). For a small organisation supporting 116 practices across Devon, this raised a fundamental question: how do we remain effective, responsive, and resilient in a rapidly changing environment?
Having modernised our internal digital infrastructure, the next priority was ensuring those gains were protected and sustained, without allowing administrative burden to grow back over time.
A thoughtful approach to innovation
We see AI not as a replacement for expertise or relationships, but as a tool to support better ways of working. Our approach has focussed on:
- reducing duplication and manual effort
- improving consistency and reliability
- supporting good governance and data handling
All use of AI is overseen by people, with clear accountability and appropriate controls in place.
What this looks like in practice
Custom built AI solutions are now embedded across a range of internal processes that support our day-today work; from how information is organised, to how routine workflows are managed, and how time-intensive administrative activity is handled.
By reducing the need for manual intervention, these solutions improve consistency and help ensure that important information is easy to find, reliable, and secure.
They are designed to remove friction and release capacity, while always retaining human expertise, judgement, and relationships.
The impact so far
Through this approach, we are already releasing dozens of staff hours each month; capacity that is redirected towards:
- direct support for practices
- system-level engagement and advocacy
- leadership, strategy and development work
For a small team, this released capacity makes a meaningful difference.
Why this matters
By working smarter we are able to:
- respond more quickly to emerging issues
- focus senior time on system engagement and advocacy
- maintain quality and consistency as demand grows
- remain agile as the environment around us continues to change
For a small team, this matters. It means we can be proportionately ambitious while remaining grounded in our core purpose of supporting General Practice in Devon, and it shows how innovation, applied thoughtfully, can build resilience rather than add complexity.
Looking ahead
Our use of AI continues to evolve. We see this as as an iterative journey, guided by real operational need rather than novelty. As new challenges emerge, we will continue to explore how technology can support smarter, more sustainable ways of working.