Microsoft outage disrupts UK emergency services

Summarised from 4 outlets · 7 reports · Updated 13 Nov, 12:58 · Archive

A global Microsoft outage beginning Thursday evening has disrupted 999 call handlers and ambulance services across the South West.

A global Microsoft outage that began on Thursday evening, 12 November, has disrupted emergency services across the South West, affecting communication systems and digital reporting tools used by police and fire services, including 999 call handlers.

The South Western Ambulance Service confirmed its operations are not disrupted as it relies on a different internal communications system. However, the GMB union told the BBC that some 111 and 999 call handlers are experiencing difficulties referring patient details as usual, leading to delays and a growing backlog.

Ambulance services are facing significant disruption. Staff are being forced to use slower manual processes to record patient details and coordinate responses. David McMullan, a representative of GMB South, warned that Southwest ambulance services are resorting to external communication methods such as WhatsApp to contact each other. 'There are processes to get around this,' he said, 'but a lot of these backup things are slower ways of working.' He warned that even an extra half an hour delay could massively affect waiting times and increase the backlog.

Wiltshire Police's online reporting tools are currently unavailable. A spokesperson said: 'If you are trying to report a time critical incident, but it is not an emergency, please call 101.' Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service asked the public to call rather than use email for anything time urgent, including reporting fire safety concerns, due to issues with Microsoft Outlook.

Microsoft identified at least 74 countries affected by the problem, which it said was caused by 'elevated load' on its infrastructure. The company confirmed there is no evidence of malicious activity or a cyber attack. The outage has impacted organisations worldwide, including schools, GP surgeries, courts and businesses. An NHS spokesperson said the NHS app and web pages continue to operate normally.

How it is being reported

• Paramedics warn of 'increase in wait times' as NHS disruption hitsA global IT outage disrupts ambulance services, forcing manual processes and WhatsApp contact, with warnings of longer emergency response times and waits.Swindon Advertiser · 13 Nov, 12:30
• Paramedics warn of 'increase in wait times' as NHS disruption hitsA global IT outage disrupts ambulance services, forcing manual processes and WhatsApp contact, with warnings of longer emergency response times and waits.Gazette & Herald · 13 Nov, 12:30
• Paramedics warn of 'increase in wait times' as NHS disruption hitsA global IT outage disrupts ambulance services, forcing manual processes and WhatsApp contact, with warnings of longer emergency response times and waits.Wiltshire Times · 13 Nov, 12:30
• Paramedics warn of 'increase in wait times' as NHS disruption hitsA global IT outage disrupts ambulance services, forcing manual processes and WhatsApp contact, with warnings of longer emergency response times and waits.This Is Wiltshire · 13 Nov, 12:30
• 999 call handlers 'facing issues' as emergency services deal with disruptionEmergency services and call handlers across the South West are being affected by a major IT outage.Gazette & Herald · 13 Nov, 11:11
• 999 call handlers 'facing issues' as emergency services deal with disruptionEmergency services and call handlers across the South West are being affected by a major IT outage.Swindon Advertiser · 13 Nov, 11:11
• 999 call handlers 'facing issues' as emergency services deal with disruptionEmergency services and call handlers across the South West are being affected by a major IT outage.Wiltshire Times · 13 Nov, 11:11

In this story: Microsoft · South Western Ambulance Service · Wiltshire Police · Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service · GMB South · David McMullan

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log