Ged’s GP – Dr Gillian Chin – believes robots could play a key role in freeing up healthcare staff to see “more patients, more quickly”.
Her surgery took part in a two-day trial called HEART-POD, a collaboration with scientists at the National Robotarium at Heriot Watt University, who developed a prototype robot.
In total, 12 patients living with cardiovascular conditions took part.
For the trial, the robot carried out basic checks such as blood pressure monitoring, oxygen saturation as well as weight measurements.
The robot, which currently has an American accent, greets the patient in the waiting room and takes them to an examination room where it talks them through tasks such as how to unwrap the blood pressure cup, place their arm flat on the table and start the monitor.
Teme then speaks to the patients before printing out the results so they can be taken to the nurse or GP for further discussion.