By Fatma Younis
Hundreds of GP surgery websites across England and Wales have gone offline after their online provider, Silicon Practice, entered administration earlier this month.
Provider Enters Administration
Silicon Practice, which claims to serve more than 1,000 practices, filed for administration through its parent company Schappit Ltd due to financial difficulties. Patients visiting sites for surgeries such as Millwood Medical Practice in Great Yarmouth and Southgate Surgery in north London now encounter automated “Bad Gateway” error messages.
Impact on Patients
School Lane Surgery in Thetford said the disruption to its website and online forms would last longer than initially hoped. The practice advised patients to call or visit in person, warning of longer phone wait times. NHS England stated that less than 10 per cent of its more than 6,000 general practices were affected.
NHS England Response
An NHS England spokesperson said the majority of GP practice websites were running normally, but practices using Silicon Practice would be affected. Patients unable to access their practice website were urged to contact their surgery by phone or in person as usual.
