NHS patients face disruption as digital services provider shuts down

Silicon Practice collapse leaves hundreds of GP surgeries without websites

Hundreds of GP practices across England and Wales were left without access to their websites and some online services late last week, after a service provider went into administration.

Silicon Practice supplied websites and digital services - including online appointment booking and consultations - to around 500 GP practices in England: just under 10% of all GP practices in the country. The company ceased trading last week.

Patients affected are advised to contact their GP practices by telephone or visit in person to arrange appointments. The NHS App remains operational.

Several GP practices in Gloucestershire confirmed that their websites were taken offline following the company's collapse.

Painswick Surgery said its local Integrated Care Board (ICB) told it that Silicon Practice had entered administration towards the end of last week.

In a message to patients, the surgery said it had subsequently been told that the company had ceased trading and its website had been taken down completely.

It added that NHS England and the ICB were working to identify alternative website providers so that online services could be restored as soon as possible.

Other surgeries also confirmed their websites had been deleted, and advised patients to communicate via the NHS App, SystemOnline and telephone.

GPs warn of increased workload

The loss of online services will additional pressure on busy GP practices, as a growing proportion of patient enquiries and appointment requests are now handled digitally.

GPs warned that patients who would normally use practice websites may now have to telephone instead.

The disruption could also create difficulties for patients who rely on online systems to request prescriptions, arrange appointments or access other services.

Three affected Welsh practices warned patients that their websites could stop working at any time, potentially with little or no notice.

They advised patients to use their practices' general email addresses for requests relating to prescriptions and fit notes if their websites became unavailable.

The disruption follows financial difficulties at Schappit, the owner of Silicon Practice, which filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators earlier this month and has now entered administration.

NHS working on alternative arrangements

NHS England said it had contacted affected practices and provided guidance on maintaining services while minimising the impact on patient care.

The health service said practices had been asked to confirm their contingency arrangements with their respective integrated care boards.

Its regional digital teams are also providing oversight and assurance to ensure that appropriate measures are in place.

An NHS England spokesperson said the majority of GP practice websites continued to operate normally, but acknowledged that surgeries using Silicon Practice would be affected by the company's administration.

The spokesperson advised patients whose GP websites were unavailable to contact their surgeries by telephone or in person if they needed assistance.