What should you do if your GP surgery website has stopped working? That is the practical question behind the UK GP websites outage October 2026, which began on 28 October when hundreds of practice websites in England and Wales lost service after their technology provider, Silicon Practice, collapsed. Reports say the company, trading as Schappit Ltd, entered administration and ceased trading, taking down websites, an online consultation tool and chatbots. NHS England has advised affected patients to contact their practice by phone or in person. This guide sets out the options, the limits of what is known and how to avoid missed requests.
Key takeaways: the UK GP websites outage October 2026 and what patients can do
- Your surgery is probably still open even if its website is down; phone and in-person contact work.
- Online forms sent shortly before the outage may not have reached clinical staff, so phone to check.
- The NHS App may still be available in many practices for appointments and repeat prescriptions.
- For urgent non-emergency problems use NHS 111; for emergencies call 999.
- The cause reported is the provider’s collapse, not a cyberattack, and no restoration date has been given.
How to tell if your practice is affected by the UK GP websites outage October 2026
Symptoms include a website that will not load, shows an error such as 502 Bad Gateway, or no longer offers the online consultation form or chatbot. Not every practice used the failed provider, and some practices run their sites through other suppliers, so the national picture varies. Coverage names disruption in parts of London, Hertfordshire, Gloucestershire, Norfolk, Derby and Swansea, but no complete list has been published. The simplest check is to call the surgery or look at the NHS App. General NHS information is at england.nhs.uk.
Routine requests during the UK GP websites outage October 2026
For routine needs such as repeat prescriptions, fit notes or test results, reports advise using the practice’s phone line, voicemail or general email address. The NHS App can be used for appointments and repeat prescriptions in many practices, though availability depends on the practice. If you sent an online form in the last few days and heard nothing, call to confirm it arrived. Phone lines may be busy, so allow extra time. This guide is general information and not medical advice.
Urgent problems during the UK GP websites outage October 2026
If you need help urgently but it is not a life-threatening emergency, NHS 111 can advise and direct you to the right service. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. Do not delay seeking care because a website is down; the loss of an online form does not change the practice’s duty to deal with urgent clinical problems, and phone triage remains available.
Why a technology failure can affect access in the UK GP websites outage October 2026
Online consultation tools have become a front door for many practices, helping staff sort requests before they reach a clinician. When the tool disappears, requests shift to phones and reception desks, which can lengthen waits. Practices also have to decide quickly how to display opening hours and contact details, since a website often carries them. Local NHS bodies called integrated care boards are helping practices set up replacements and have issued continuity guidance. One reported 49 practices in its area using services from the failed company.
Questions about data in the UK GP websites outage October 2026
Patients may wonder what happens to information they typed into online forms. The reports do not say where that data is held or who controls it now. Clinical records stored in a practice’s main clinical system are separate from the website, according to general NHS arrangements, but form submissions held by the supplier may be different. We have no evidence of any data breach, and none of the reports we reviewed describe one. Patients with concerns can ask their practice, which is responsible for how patient data is handled.
Market context from Acumen Research and Consulting
Acumen Research and Consulting’s Digital Health Market report values the global digital health market at USD 217 billion in 2022 and USD 1,592 billion by 2032, a CAGR of 25.3% for 2023 to 2032. It says telehealth held the largest technology share in 2022, healthcare providers dominated end use, and North America led at about USD 93.4 billion. The report was last updated in October 2023, and its figures are global estimates that do not measure this outage. Related: Healthcare IT coverage.
Timeline of the UK GP websites outage October 2026
- 27 October 2026: provider reported to have ceased trading.
- 28 October 2026: websites and online services go offline; NHS advice issued.
- 29 October 2026: replacement providers still being sought.
General background: how GP access works in England and Wales
Patients can usually contact practices by phone, in person, online or via the NHS App. Online tools supplement these routes rather than replace them, which is why NHS advice stresses phone and in-person options.
Our analysis of the UK GP websites outage October 2026
In our assessment, the UK GP websites outage October 2026 is an access problem more than a clinical one: people can still be seen, but some will find it harder to ask. Those who rely on online forms, including people who struggle to use the phone, may be most affected, and practices may need to offer alternatives.
What is not disclosed in the UK GP websites outage October 2026
- The number of affected practices and patients.
- When online access will be restored.
- Where form data is held.
- Who the replacement suppliers will be.
Risks and caveats
This is a developing story and reports differ on numbers. This article is general information and not medical advice.
What to watch next
- Announcements of replacement providers.
- Statements on data handling.
- Updates from your own practice.
FAQ
Is my GP surgery closed?
No. Practices remain open, but their websites or online forms may not work.
Was there a cyberattack?
None of the reports we reviewed say so; they attribute it to the provider’s collapse.
What if my online request was not answered?
Phone the surgery to check that it arrived.
How we reported this: we relied on press reports, NHS information pages and the Acumen Research and Consulting report cited above. Last updated 29 October 2026. This is news reporting and not advice.
