Tech collapse knocks out online GP services for 500 practices

The digital rug just got yanked from under hundreds of GP practices. Silicon Practice, which ran websites, online booking and consultations for roughly 500 practices in England — just under 10% of the total — has gone into administration. Patients in London, Gloucestershire, Norfolk and Wales are among those reporting problems.

GP leaders are sounding the alarm. Since last year, every practice in England has had to offer online appointment booking, and more than 40% of appointments are now made that way. With websites down, patients are being told to call their surgery instead. The NHS app is still working.

NHS England says the majority of GP practice websites are running as normal, but some using Silicon Practice are caught in the fallout. A spokesperson advised: 'If your GP practice website is unavailable and you need help, you should contact your practice by phone or in person as usual.' Affected practices have been contacted with advice on keeping services going and minimising the hit to patient care.

Silicon Practice also ran FootFall, a tool it advertised as reducing patient phone calls by 30% and helping 'free your reception team from routine admin.' It claimed to be 'proven in 1,000+ GP practices across the UK.' Now those practices are scrambling.

Prof Victoria Tzortziou Brown, president of the Royal College of GPs, said websites are an increasingly important way for patients to access care and book appointments. 'When websites are not working, it can be hugely disruptive for patients and place additional pressures on already stretched practice teams,' she said. She called for prompt, practical support from NHS England and local NHS organisations to restore the sites and make sure patients know how to get care in the meantime.