Practices and pharmacies will be aware of a global issue affecting Microsoft 365 services. This is primarily affecting Outlook email and calendar services, as well as other Microsoft products including Teams and Copilot.
While this is impacting services which depend on email, the ICB understand that telephone systems, clinical systems, and appointment and prescription platforms across west and north London are not currently affected. However, some online consultation platforms that rely on NHSmail may be experiencing disruption.
Actions for practices and pharmacies
- Activate their business continuity plans as necessary
- Advise patients to continue to come forward for care and attend appointments as usual unless told otherwise
- Consider the potential impact on wider NHS services, including district nursing and other community services, putting in place alternative arrangements where necessary
- Support patients who may have difficulty accessing prescribed medication, directing those needing an urgent to local pharmacies
- Monitor local systems and report any changes.
Draft patient message
"With the global Microsoft issue inevitably having a disruptive impact for staff, local NHS services are enacting long-standing measures to manage IT outages and ensure critical services and appointments can continue for patients today - including using other IT systems or paper records where possible.
Patients should continue to come forward for care and attend appointments as usual unless told otherwise.
In an emergency, call 999. For urgent medical advice or support, use 111, 111 online or contact your local pharmacy for advice."
