UK GPs, pharmacies and airports hit by IT disruption

At global IT disruption has caused disruption in the UK, including health and transport.

GPs have struggled to access the record system, which includes online ordering. Pharmaceutical services, such as access to prescriptions, are also affected.

The blackout caused long queues at UK airports and cut off some TV channels.

Cyber ​​security firm Crowdstrike said the global IT problems were caused by flaws in content updates and not by security incidents or cyber attacks.

“The issue has been identified, isolated and fixed,” said George Kurtz, CEO of Crowdstrike.

Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said the government team was coordinating its response to the main blackout through Cobra, the emergency response committee.

“Ministers are working with their respective sectors and industries on these issues,” he wrote in X.

The NHS said it was aware of a global outage and problems with the EMIS system, which allows GPs to manage appointment bookings, carry out patient consultations, and update, store and share patient records – including sending prescriptions to pharmacies.

“Patients must attend appointments unless told otherwise. Only contact the GP if it is urgent, and otherwise please use 111 online or call 111,” said an NHS spokesman.

He added there was no known impact on 999 or the emergency services.

The National Pharmacy Association confirmed the problem affects community pharmacies, “including accessing prescriptions from doctors and the delivery of medicines”.

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said the disruption was a “serious concern” and urged people to be patient as clinics worked to maintain services.

The Northern Ireland government says around two-thirds of GP surgeries are affected and will only take emergency appointments until the problem is resolved.

Dr Jess Harvey, a GP in Much Wenlock, Shropshire, told the BBC that her surgery was able to access a “primitive version” of EMIS, but was unable to access blood test results and canceled some routine appointments.

He said doctors could still prescribe “the old-fashioned way” with handwritten notes.

“We are working hard as a team to try and get it done,” Dr Harvey said. “I’m sure it’s the same in GP practices across the country.”

Neha, from Ashford in Kent, is among the affected patients. He told the BBC that a blood test he had ordered a month ago had been canceled this morning.

He was told by his GP surgery that he was unable to access some of the computer systems and would have to reconnect to rebook the blood test.

“I was waiting for this test and now I have to wait again,” said Neha.

The blackout also affected travel infrastructure across the UK.

Long queues have been reported at the airport. British Airways said some flights were “likely to experience disruption”.

Britain’s biggest airport, Heathrow, said the outage was affecting its “select system”.

“Flights are operational and we are implementing contingency plans to minimize the impact on travel,” Heathrow said.

Gatwick Airport said its e-gate and some check-in systems were affected by the problem. Passengers there were reportedly checked manually.

Manchester Airport said staff were also processing check-ins and boarding manually. While flights to and from the airport were largely unaffected, they warned of a potential knock-on effect on flights during the day.

Among those caught in the delay was a member of the hen do heading to Dublin from East Midlands Airport.

Anna Hindmarsh told the BBC that she and five other people due to travel for her sister’s four-day celebrations had been left behind after being delayed when bags had to be manually checked.

“I’m very tired,” Ms Hindmarsh said, adding that she was now struggling to rebook.

Edinburgh Airport said at least 17 arrivals and 24 departures had been cancelled.

A group of American tourists returning home to Texas from Edinburgh told the PA news agency they were forced to pay more than £5,000 for a new flight.

Some flights to the UK have also been disrupted. Jemma Wheeler, 30, said her family of five were stuck at Palma de Mallorca Airport after IT problems caused delays at check-in.

“We think the flight is quick, two hours and we’ll be back soon to enjoy the good weather at home,” she told the BBC.

People waiting for their flights are advised to keep in touch with the airline and keep important items in their carry-on if they check their bags.

Train services are still running, although National Rail says there are “network-wide IT issues”, which could lead to short-notice cancellations.

“In addition, other key systems, including real-time customer information platforms, are also affected,” he added.

It warns that services operated by Avanti West Coast, Gatwick Express, Great Western Railway, Southern and Thameslink are among those that could see changes and cancellations.

British TV channels Sky News and CBBC are now back on air after being affected during the day.

Additional reporting by Ian Casey, Dan Martin and Aleks Phillips