What's happened
A major IT outage has disrupted GP services across England, affecting appointment bookings, patient records, and prescription access. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has urged patience as thousands of GP practices, pharmacies, and hospitals grapple with the EMIS Web system issue. The Royal Surrey NHS Trust declared a critical incident due to IT problems affecting radiotherapy treatments. The outage has led to delays, disruptions, and cancellations, impacting patient care and services.
What's behind the headline?
What the papers say
According to The Independent, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has called for patience, acknowledging the considerable disruption to GP services and the NHS. The Guardian reports on the challenges faced by GP practices unable to access patient records or make referrals, impacting patient care. Metro covers the critical incident declared by the Royal Surrey NHS Trust due to IT issues affecting radiotherapy treatments.
How we got here
The global IT outage has affected various sectors, including healthcare, with GP practices, pharmacies, and hospitals experiencing system issues. The reliance on digital systems like EMIS Web for patient records and appointments has highlighted vulnerabilities in the healthcare infrastructure. The outage has disrupted services, leading to concerns about patient care and access to essential treatments.
Go deeper
- How are GP practices coping with the IT outage?
- What measures are being taken to address the disruptions in healthcare services?
- Are there any updates on the restoration of IT systems for GP practices and hospitals?
Common question
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How has the global IT outage affected air travel?
The global IT outage has had a significant impact on air travel, causing disruptions in flight schedules and operations. Passengers and airlines alike are facing challenges due to the technical failures. Let's explore the specific effects on air travel and how the industry is responding to these disruptions.
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How have GP surgeries been impacted by the global IT outage?
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More on these topics
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The National Health Service is the publicly funded healthcare system in England, and one of the four National Health Service systems in the United Kingdom.
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In the medical profession, a general practitioner is a medical doctor who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education to patients.
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The Global Positioning System, originally NAVSTAR GPS, is a satellite-based radionavigation system owned by the United States government and operated by the United States Space Force.
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Wesley Paul William Streeting is a British politician serving as the Member of Parliament for Ilford North since 2015, and since 2020 as Shadow Minister for Schools.