PATIENTS are being warned of the impact a major global IT ‘outage’ is having on NHS services in Somerset - with some GP surgeries unable to accept calls.

People are being urged to attend booked appointments as normal but are being urged not to turn up at treatment centres or emergency departments unless there is an “urgent medical reason.”

A number of pharmacies have also been affected by the Microsoft IT ‘outage’.

A statement from NHS Somerset said: “The NHS is aware of a global IT outage and an issue with EMIS Web, an appointment, prescription and patient record system used by our GP practices across Somerset.

“Phone systems in some surgeries are cloud-based, which means they are currently unable to answer calls. 

“If you have a booked appointment and have not been contacted by your surgery, then please attend as usual.”

People who are unsure where to go are urged to check NHS online - 111.nhs.uk or call 111 for medical advice.

There is currently no known impact on 999 or emergency services, so people should use these services as they usually would.

The NHS added: “Services in community pharmacies, including accessing prescriptions from GPs and medicine deliveries, are disrupted today. The NHS has long standing measures in place to manage the disruption, including using paper patient records and handwritten prescriptions.

“Please don't turn up at the emergency department or our Urgent Treatment Centres, unless you have an urgent medical reason so we can keep these services for the people who need it the most.

“Thank you for your patience with our staff.”