Lib Dems demand clarity on IT outage impact on patients

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

The Liberal Democrats have written to the Health Secretary demanding to know how many patients were affected by the IT issues which hit the country last Friday and what action he will take in order to minimise the issues for affected patients. 

In her letter to the Health Secretary, Lib Dem Health and Social Care spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said that “it is right that patients are given clarity over the true extent of the disruption they have suffered as a result of these IT failures” when calling on Wes Streeting to reveal the number of GP appointments cancelled and how many cancer patients will be affected by delays.

Daisy Cooper went on to ask Ellie Reeves MP in Parliament this afternoon what steps the government would be taking towards minimising ongoing difficulties and ensuring those who faced cancellations and disruption would be seen as soon as possible.

Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson, Daisy Cooper MP said:

“Patients across the country faced a wave of disruption last week that must urgently be addressed. 

“With the NHS brought to its knees by years of Conservative failure and neglect, too many are already waiting anxiously for far too long for desperately needed care.

“The Secretary of State needs to make clear how many patients have been affected and what steps he is taking to minimise the disruption.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Daisy Cooper MP’s letter to the Health Secretary:

Department of Health and Social Care

39 Victoria Street,

London,

SW1H 0EU

22th July 2024

Dear Secretary of State,

Congratulations on your appointment as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. 

As you are aware an IT outage spread globally on Friday morning after an update from global cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike knocked many Microsoft Windows PCs offline.

This had a huge impact across the NHS, with the outage disrupting the EMIS platform which many GPs, pharmacists and NHS trusts use to manage appointment bookings and patient records. This includes sending prescriptions to pharmacies, booking blood tests, and arranging appointments for cancer patients and GP patients.

It has meant GPs and NHS staff across the UK have had to cancel routine appointments and pharmacies have been unable to access digital prescription records. Many staff had to return to pen and paper causing long delays and cancellations.

Although most systems were back up and running by Saturday afternoon, delays are still expected for the rest of this week as NHS staff, and in particular GPs, get back up to speed. 

I am writing to you today to ask what number of GP appointments have been cancelled and the number of people who have had their cancer treatment delayed as a result of these IT failures? It is right that patients are given clarity over the true extent of the disruption they have suffered as a result of these IT failures.

As such, what are your next steps towards minimising ongoing difficulties and ensuring those who faced cancellations and disruption will be seen as soon as possible?

Finally, you will also be aware that I raised specific questions in the Chamber related to specific patient cohorts who require time-sensitive treatment that can be disrupted by such outages; I would be grateful for assurances that your government’s Lesson Learnt exercise will look at these specific vulnerable groups. 

I look forward to hearing from you on this matter. 

Yours sincerely,

Daisy Cooper

Liberal Democrat MP for St Albans

Health and Social Care Spokesperson