Walk-in centres and GP practices have been brought to a standstill by massive NHS IT and phone system outages today (March 29).
A technical fault has caused IT systems to crash and phone lines to go down at NHS facilities across Greater Manchester. The problems began this morning and remain ongoing as health bosses scramble to find a fix.
Many of the approximate 600 GP practices across the boroughs of Greater Manchester are understood to be affected, along with multiple walk-in centres and overarching services run by the region's NHS, all of which run on the same system. Patients' are seeing appointments cancelled and postponed, while staff attempt to keep urgent appointments by working on their personal devices.
READ MORE: Massive IT and phone system outages across GP practices in Greater Manchester
Many doctors and GP practice staff members are working from their own phones as they frantically try to keep seeing the most urgent patients. Some senior sources have told the Manchester Evening News that they are also attempting to see patients walking into practices but are being hindered by the IT and phone system chaos, which has already lasted hours.
The M.E.N. also understands that the IT and phone problems are limited to Greater Manchester and are not nationwide - hospitals are not believed to be affected as they operate on different systems. In England, the number of patients per doctor (trainee and fully-qualified) at GP practices was 1,700 in October 2022, according to the Office of National Statistics, making it likely that thousands of people will be affected by the crash.
One NHS source has said that many staff at one practice are working from their mobile phones as 'all work devices are not connecting'. Some appointments are being cancelled and postponed, with one Greater Manchester NHS source, whom the M.E.N. is not identifying, saying: "We have managed to access some business continuity access so can find some patient records but struggling to book more appoints, do referrals or anything else really.
"Normally we would send patients to the walk-in [centre], but they have the same issues. We are managing as much as we can do, if it's urgent we’re just advising patients to come in."
The NHS has issued advice on how to get medical help as the problems continue.
This morning, a spokesperson for NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care told the M.E.N.: "There is an IT issue which is affecting some GP systems and phone lines across Greater Manchester. We are seeking to resolve as soon as possible.
"If you are in need of medical help, please contact NHS 111 either online or by phone. In emergencies, please dial 999."
The M.E.N. has requested further updates from NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care.
For more of today's top stories click here.
READ NEXT:
GMP to recruit 264 more neighbourhood officers but will lose 300 PCSO roles
Greater Manchester Foodhall announces closure after 'unprecedented' rise in costs
'I thought it was an earthquake': Neighbour on moment building COLLAPSED as he watched TV
Cannabis farm discovered after major road cordoned off in Chorlton during fire
