On Friday, a major technology outage caused widespread disruption across various sectors globally. Vine Medical Group, as well as countless other NHS providers, was among those affected, with our primary clinical system, EMIS Web, rendered inaccessible to all users worldwide.

The disruption stemmed from a faulty update deployed by CrowdStrike, a prominent cybersecurity firm, affecting numerous companies that rely on their software. Despite CrowdStrike's assertion that the issue was not a security breach, the update caused Windows systems to display the notorious "blue screen of death," leading to significant operational challenges.

The faulty update was contained in a single content update for Windows hosts. Due to the widespread reliance on CrowdStrike for cybersecurity solutions on Windows platforms, the technical problem had far-reaching effects. Efforts to fix the issue required more than just a software patch; each affected system needed to be rebooted, extending the period of disruption.

Thanks to our rapid response, we managed to maintain patient services throughout the incident. By utilising an in-house triaging solutions, staff across all departments collaborated effectively to ensure that calls were answered, patients were triaged and services continued without major interruptions.

Fortunately we were well-prepared. With quick-acting management, a robust in-house IT team and support from reputable IT organisations, our preparedness and prompt action minimised the impact, allowing us to continue providing essential services to our patients.

EMIS Web was brought back online over the weekend, and our staff are working diligently to address any disruptions caused by the outage.

We thank you for your patience and support during the incident.