Services across Devon hit as Microsoft outage continues
Patients and residents across Devon are being urged to phone, not email, if their query is urgent, after a Microsoft outage left councils, hospitals and GP surgeries without email
NHS and council services across Devon have been hit by the widespread Microsoft outage today (Friday, November 13) with patients and residents warned of delays after many organisations lost access to email systems.
The outage began on Thursday evening, but its impact was felt across Devon as offices opened this morning – it has been narrowed down to the Microsoft Exchange, leaving many organisations including the NHS without email.
Many Devon councils, NHS trusts and GP surgeries are asking people to telephone if their need is urgent, but have warned lines may be busy.
Both Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust and Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust say they have no access to email.
Some GP surgeries have reported issues and difficulties with emails, warning of delays to emailed prescription requests or enquiries plus difficulty accessing clinical documents. Patients with any urgent concerns are being asked to telephone their surgery.
Devon County Council said it was experiencing disruption and deploying backup plans prioritising frontline services.
Residents are being asked to postpone any non-urgent queries so the council can focus on delivering essential services.
Deputy leader, Councillor Paul Arnott said: “Devon County Council has responded well this morning to this significant challenge. Roads have been gritted, our customer service centre, and teams supporting vulnerable adults and children are all operating, albeit without some IT functionality.
“I would urge residents to do their bit today by postponing any non-urgent contact so our phone lines, which may be busier than usual, are prioritised for those who need to get in touch as a matter of urgency.
“The knock-on effects of this outage on the council and its partners are likely to be manageable, but may last into next week.”
Both North Devon and Torridge district councils have said they are unable to send or receive emails and advised residents to telephone but warned lines may be busy. East Devon District Council has posted similar, as has Teignbridge District Council.
Exeter City Council said it was experiencing some disruption and some council services may be affected.
Several GP surgeries affected
In North Devon, South Molton Medical Centre warned of possible delays to online consultation replies, text messages and appointment reminders and various documents such as patient letters. Caen Medical Centre in Braunton has posted similar.
Combe Coastal Practice, in Ilfracombe says it can’t access emails at all. It is directing patients to its online portal and asking for prescription requests to be sent through the NHS App.
Litchdon Medical Centre in Barnstaple said it was operating as normal, but urgent prescription requests and other queries sent by email may be delayed, but it can still be reached through the online form on its website and by phone.
In Exeter, Pinhoe and Broadclyst Medical Practice said it had no access to email and “may not be able to open certain clinical documents.” Prescription requests sent by email may take longer.
The general advice for patients is to call your local surgery if it is an urgent query.