Gloucestershire GP websites down after supplier problem
Appointments are unaffected, says NHS Gloucestershire ICB
Patients at GP practices across Gloucestershire are being told to phone their surgery after a national problem with a website supplier took practice websites offline.
NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) says a significant number of practices in the county are affected.
The ICB says GP services remain open and appointments are unaffected.
A spokesperson for NHS Gloucestershire ICB said:
"A significant number of GP practices in Gloucestershire are affected by a national issue involving a website supplier, preventing access to websites and some online services. We are working with practices and partners to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
"GP services remain open and appointments are unaffected.
"Patients who need to contact their GP practice should continue to call their practice while services are unavailable. Anyone who needs urgent medical help should continue to use NHS 111 online or call 111.
"Repeat medications can continue to be managed through the NHS app.
"Practice teams may be dealing with a higher volume of telephone calls than usual, so patients may experience longer waits. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank patients for their understanding and for treating staff with kindness and respect."
What individual surgeries are saying
Two Gloucestershire surgeries have posted notices on Facebook explaining what has happened.
Painswick Surgery said it was advised by NHS England and Gloucestershire ICB at the end of last week that Silicon Practice, which it says runs GP websites across Gloucestershire, had gone into administration.
The surgery said it has now been alerted that the company has ceased trading and that its website has been taken down completely.
Dockham Surgery said it has been informed that the company providing GP websites across the country has gone into administration and ceased trading, and that all websites managed by the company have been taken down.
Both practices said they understand NHS England and Gloucestershire ICB are working to help practices find alternative website providers so they can get back online as soon as possible.
What patients can still do
Painswick Surgery said patients who need to request a non-routine appointment or raise an administrative query can access eConsult directly.
It said appointments, telephone calls, emails, the NHS App and its Facebook page remain unaffected.
The surgery also asked people to pass the information on to friends, family and neighbours who do not use social media.
Dockham Surgery said appointments, telephone calls, emails and the NHS App will continue to operate as normal.