HEALTH bosses say they are "working round the clock" to try and resolve computer issues affecting GP services.

IT problems were first discovered at GP practices two weeks ago due to an issue with an air cooler at the Douglas Mill data centre on Bowling Old Lane.

The server was moved to a modern one at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary last weekend and while the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) said it had been "largely successful", the changeover did not resolve the problem. 

Support from the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust has now been drafted in to help. 

In a statement issued today, a spokesman for Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven, Bradford City and Bradford Districts Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) said: “Our main focus is ensuring that people in the district are continuing to get a high quality, safe service from GPs. 

"We are working round the clock with our IT supplier (eMBED Health Consortium) to get GPs’ IT systems fully operational.

“eMBED is working with IT specialists DELL and Phoenix to resolve our current issues.  Our main system infrastructure and virtual desktop environment (VDI) has stabilised, and progress is being made on some secondary issues.  Whilst we are continuing to experience issues as the system optimises, GPs are able to access and update patient records.

“Working in an advisory capacity, colleagues at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust Health Informatics Service (HIS) are providing added technical assurance to us that everything possible is being done to resolve the situation."

The spokesman added: “We know that these issues are making it harder for our practices to do their work, and how frustrating it is that they are continuing to add to backlogs for practices.  We are working with clinicians to put in place systems and processes to manage risks in clinical quality and care.

“We are asking people using healthcare services to be patient, especially with staff at GP practices as they deal with this issue and tackle an associated backlog of work.  We want to reassure patients that everything is being done to fully restore IT systems as soon as possible.

“GPs are able to see and update patient records and have systems in place to manage urgent and fast-track cancer and chest pain referrals."