Microsoft outage hits South East NHS trusts and councils
Getty ImagesNHS trusts and councils in south-east England have been affected by the global Microsoft outage.
Microsoft 365 Services, including Teams, Outlook and Microsoft's artificial intelligence software Copilot, were hit by "connectivity problems", the company says.
On Friday morning, most NHS trusts across Surrey, East and West Sussex, and Kent reported issues receiving and sending emails, while some said patient inquiries and referral correspondences were also affected.
Patients have been urged to contact NHS trusts by phone and to continue to attend planned appointments.
Local authorities and Gatwick Airport have also reported problems with emails, but Gatwick says it is operationally running as normal.
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust said: "Please continue to use services wisely.
"You can consult your GP or pharmacist for minor illnesses or injuries, and urgent treatment centres are also open.
"Please save our emergency departments for serious injuries or life-threatening conditions."
Trusts reported procedures and appointments were going ahead as usual.
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust said its 24/7 mental health crisis helpline was operating as usual.
"If you need urgent mental health support, please call 111 and select the mental health option or call 0800 915 4644," it said.
The affected trusts
The NHS trusts in the south east of England that said they were affected were:
- Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
- Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust
- Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
- Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
- East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
- Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Queen Victorial Hiospiutal NHS Foundation Trust
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trist
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
West Sussex County Council says its emails and some other systems are not working as usual.
The local authority's phone lines remained open, but it said some services could be unavailable.
Brighton & Hove City Council has also urged residents to call as its emails are affected.
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