Health reporter
LONDON: Hundreds of GP practices across England and Wales have lost access to their websites and online services following the collapse of technology provider Silicon Practice.
The company, which entered administration and ceased trading, provided digital services to around 500 GP surgeries in England, affecting thousands of patients.
The disruption has left patients unable to use some online appointment booking systems, request consultations, access medical forms and obtain information through GP websites. London, Gloucestershire and parts of Wales are among the areas affected.
NHS England said the majority of GP websites remained operational, but confirmed that practices using Silicon Practice had been affected. It has contacted surgeries and provided guidance to minimise disruption to patient care.
Patients whose GP websites are unavailable have been advised to contact their surgeries by telephone or visit in person. The NHS App remains operational.
The president of the Royal College of GPs warned that the disruption could place additional pressure on already overstretched practices and called for urgent support to restore digital services.
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