Important IT message

Sunday 21 July – Global IT system update from NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

Following the global IT issues most impacted NHS IT systems are now back online. We are carrying out final checks to find out if services are fully operational ahead of GP surgeries reopening after the weekend.

There may be some continued disruption this week as GP and pharmacy services recover from the loss of IT systems on Friday (19 July), as teams work to update their systems, contact patients and rebook appointments.

As Mondays are the busiest time to contact a GP surgery, we are asking local people to please wait until later in the week to call or use online services unless their need is urgent.

Our services continue to be busy following the disruption and we kindly ask that people help by:

• Please not turning up at the emergency department, a minor injury unit or calling NHS 111 unless they have an urgent medical reason so we can keep these services available for the people who need it the most.
• If you need to visit a minor injury unit please check locations and wait times online before you go as the nearest may not be the quickest.
• Always use 999 if they have a life or limb threatening emergency
• Use NHS 111 online to get advice (please only call NHS 111 for urgent matters)

Thank you for your understanding and for being patient with our staff, who are doing their best to ensure people with the most urgent health needs are seen first over this time.

Saturday 20 July

Following the global IT issues, work continues to restore our NHS IT systems.

The issue with EMIS, an appointment and patient record system used by the majority of GP practices is being resolved and limited access is now possible.

Some local services, including community pharmacy and prescriptions may take some time to be fully resolved and we kindly ask for your continued understanding, support and patience over this time.

How you can help over this time:

• Please continue to access the most appropriate service including local pharmacies, NHS 111, minor injury units and urgent treatment centre.
• If it’s not urgent, please wait until after the weekend to access services.
• Please check locations, waiting and opening times online as your nearest may not be your quickest.
• Please don’t turn up at the emergency department or call 999, unless you have a life or limb threatening emergency, so we can keep these services available for the people who need it the most.

We are grateful to our staff who continue to work together to minimise disruption for patients wherever possible during this time.

Thank you

Updated statement 17:00 Friday 19 July

Following the Global IT issue, work continues by third party suppliers to restore services and some services have been resumed at some GP surgeries.

We know that some services in community pharmacies are still impacted, including accessing prescriptions – which may continue over the weekend.

Our teams are working hard to minimise the disruption.

There is currently no known impact on 999 or emergency services, so people should use these services as they usually would for life or limb emergencies only please.  This will ensure we can focus on the people who need them the most.

How you can help:

• Please don’t turn up at the emergency department or our Urgent Treatment Centres or minor injury units, unless you have an urgent medical reason so we can keep these services for the people who need it the most.
• If it’s not urgent, please wait until after the weekend to access services
• Avoid calling NHS 111 unless it is for an urgent matter that can’t wait until after the weekend
• Use your local pharmacist for minor common conditions
• If it is an emergency, please do use 999 if you have a life or limb threatening emergency

Thank you for your ongoing understanding and support over this time, it really is appreciated 

National NHS statement – 10:30 Friday 19 July

An NHS spokesperson said: “The NHS is aware of a global IT outage and an issue with EMIS, an appointment and patient record system, which is causing disruption in the majority of GP practices. 

“The NHS has long standing measures in place to manage the disruption, including using paper patient records and handwritten prescriptions, and the usual phone systems to contact your GP.

“There is currently no known impact on 999 or emergency services, so people should use these services as they usually would.”

Situation in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

Some of our NHS IT systems have been affected by Global IT issues. 
We know that IT systems at some GP surgeries are impacted, and some non-clinical systems within some NHS providers.

We kindly ask that people only call their GP surgery if they have an urgent medical reason until the issue is resolved.

Please don’t turn up at the emergency department, a minor injury unit or call NHS 111 unless you have an urgent medical reason so we can keep these services for the people who need it the most.

We are currently investigating the situation to understand the extent of the issue and we will continue to provide updates as we know more.

During this time please continue:

• to attend your GP or hospital appointment unless you are advised otherwise
• to use 999 if you have a life or limb threatening emergency
• to use your local pharmacist for many minor common conditions
• use NHS 111 online to get advice (please only call NHS 111 for urgent matters)

Thank you for your understanding and for being patient with our staff, who are doing their best to ensure people with the most urgent health needs are seen first over this time.

ENDS