Using our digital assistants

Tips for getting the best answers from our online chat or voice assistants.

Our chat and voice assistants are digital tools that use artificial intelligence (AI) to help you get answers and complete tasks quickly. They understand your questions, provide relevant information, and learn over time to become more accurate and helpful.

Follow these simple guidelines to make sure you receive accurate and helpful responses.

Use simple and clear language

Use short, direct sentences and avoid complex phrasing or jargon. Our assistants work best with straightforward instructions.

Be specific

Chat and voice assistants work best with specific questions. Instead of saying “I need help,” try phrasing it like this:

  • “How do I renew my library book?”
  • “I would like to arrange an occupational therapist to do an assessment please”
  • “I would like to request a stairlift”

Speak or type clearly

Speak slowly and clearly when using voice assistants and use correct spelling when using chat assistants to improve accuracy.

Limit background noise

If you’re using a voice assistant over the phone, try to be in a quiet space - reducing background noise helps the assistant understand you better.

Try different keywords

If the chat or voice assistant doesn’t understand the first time, rephrase the question using different words.

Look for suggested prompts

Many chat assistants offer clickable options or suggestions to help guide you to the right answer.

Know when to escalate to a real person

If the chat or voice assistant isn’t providing the right information, or there is a need for a more complex conversation, there will be an option to connect with a real person. You can connect to a person at any point in the conversation by saying or typing “I want to speak to someone”.

 
Last updated:
22 December 2025
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