The problem
Your patient email list sits unused because writing a newsletter takes an evening. If one newsletter a month takes 90 minutes, that's 1.5 hours a month, and many months it doesn't happen.
What the AI does
You choose the topic, such as gardening season or school bags, and list the general points you'd normally say. Paste them into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini and ask for a short, friendly newsletter with no claims about treating conditions. You check it, add your details and send it only to patients who have agreed to marketing emails, from your own email system.
A worked example
An osteopath in Bristol sends a monthly email to about 300 patients who agreed to hear from her. She drafts it from her own tips list.
Before
90 minutes to write each newsletter, often skipped
After
About 40 minutes to edit and check, sent every month
What it's worth
About 50 minutes a month saved, worth around £42 if your time is worth £50 an hour, plus a newsletter that actually goes out.
How to set it up
- Pick one topic a month and list the general tips you'd normally give in person.
- Paste the list into your AI assistant and ask for a friendly 250-word email with no promises about treating conditions.
- Check it against your regulator's advertising guidance and your own knowledge.
- Send only to patients who have agreed to marketing emails, with an unsubscribe link.
- Remove anyone who unsubscribes straight away.
What goes wrong
- Emailing patients without consent breaks marketing rules (PECR). Keep a record of who agreed.
- An AI draft can slide into health claims. Read it as an advertisement.
- Don't paste patient names, conditions or lists into a consumer AI plan.
- Your email provider may have its own sending limits and costs, which aren't covered here.