A technology company providing digital infrastructure to general practices across the United Kingdom has ceased operations, creating service disruptions for patients seeking to access healthcare facilities online.
Silicon Practice operated websites, appointment booking systems, and virtual consultation services for roughly 500 practices in England, representing just under 10% of the country’s total GP surgeries. The firm’s collapse has affected practices in multiple regions including London, Gloucestershire, Norfolk, and parts of Wales. While the majority of GP practice websites continue operating normally, those relying on Silicon Practice’s infrastructure have become inaccessible to patients.
The disruption carries significant implications for healthcare access, as online appointment booking has become a standard service requirement. Since last year, all English GP practices have been mandated to offer online booking capabilities, with more than 40% of appointments currently scheduled through digital channels. Patients affected by the outages have been instructed to contact their practices by telephone or visit in person to arrange appointments, though the NHS app remains functional.
Silicon Practice previously marketed its FootFall tool to practices as a means of reducing patient phone calls by 30% through streamlined administrative processes. The company claimed its system was in use across more than 1,000 GP practices throughout the United Kingdom.
NHS England has notified affected practices and provided guidance on maintaining operations during the transition period. Medical leadership has emphasized the importance of rapidly restoring online access, noting that website unavailability places additional strain on practice staff and impedes patient care delivery. The Royal College of GPs has called for prompt support from NHS England and local health organizations to resolve the disruptions and keep patients informed of alternative contact methods.
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