NHS now ‘back online’ as normal after global IT outage and apologises for disruption
Someone using the NHS app on their iPhone / Credit: NHS Digital
The NHS says it’s now “back online” as normal following the global IT outage and has apologised for the disruption caused to patients.
After the Crowdstrike IT outage last Friday (19 July) caused mayhem for companies and organisations right across the world, NHS England has now assured the public that it is back up and running today (22 July) and that patients should continue to attend their appointments “as normal”, unless they are told or advised otherwise.
A senior doctor described last Friday’s outage as an “unprecedented situation” and “one the toughest single days in recent times for GPs across England”.
Dr David Wrigley, who is the Deputy Chair of GPC England at the British Medical Association (BMA), said the outage caused “exceptionally trying circumstances” and led to a “catastrophic loss of service” across the NHS, but the country’s health service has now confirmed that anyone with an appointment should attend this week.
Delays to some services, however, should be expected, although the NHS says it is hoping to keep this “to a minimum”.
The NHS is aware of a global IT outage and an issue with a GP appointment and patient record system.
— NHS England (@NHSEngland) July 19, 2024
If you have an appointment please do attend unless you are told otherwise. If you need help use 111 online or by phone and in an emergency call 999.
➡️https://t.co/M4QxHP2GqM
An NHS spokesperson said in an updated statement issued this morning (22 July): “Systems are now back online, and patients with an NHS appointment this week should continue to attend unless told not to.
“Thanks to the hard work of NHS staff throughout this incident we are hoping to keep further disruption to a minimum, however there still may be some delays as services recover, particularly with GPs needing to rebook appointments, so please bear with us.
“It’s important that patients attend appointments as normal unless told otherwise.
“You can contact your GP in the usual way, or use your local pharmacy, NHS 111 online, or call 111 for urgent health advice.”
Just as the NHS has referenced that GPs, in particular, are expecting to be met with service delays this week, Dr Wrigley has too warned of a “considerable backlog”.
He explained in his statement: “The temporary loss of the patient record system has meant a considerable backlog.
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“Even if we could guarantee it could be fully fixed on Monday, GPs would still need time to catch up from lost work over the weekend, and NHS England should make clear to patients that normal service cannot be resumed immediately.”
Featured Image – NHS Digital