The recent global IT outage caused by a software update from CrowdStrike has had far-reaching consequences, impacting GP services in England and Northern Ireland, disrupting air travel, and causing financial losses for small businesses.
The outage, which occurred on 19 July, affected up to eight and a half million computers worldwide using Microsoft systems. GPs in England and Northern Ireland were unable to use the EMIS system, leading to delays in patient care, including possible delays in cancer treatments.
Dr. David Wrigley, a GP for 22 years, described the period as challenging with little help and support. He emphasized the need for more support from NHS England and the UK government in case of future incidents.
In Northern Ireland, around 75% of GPs use the EMIS system, leading to similar disruptions and delays in patient care. The Department of Health is in discussions with external suppliers to strengthen continuity arrangements following the outage.
The impact extended to air travel, with passengers stranded at airports around the world. Melanie Cree and her husband Alan, from Northern Ireland, were among those affected, facing flight cancellations and delays. Another family, Laura and Malcolm Jones, experienced a 16-hour delay at an airport before finally returning home.
Small businesses also felt the effects of the outage, with Dawn Watts and Hannah Al-Khaldi reporting financial losses due to non-functional websites. They questioned the reliance on a single provider like CrowdStrike and called for more options in the future.
CrowdStrike has apologized for the incident and pledged to learn from the experience to prevent similar incidents in the future. The UK government and NHS England are working to prevent such disruptions and ensure better contingency plans are in place.
