Doctor, doctor! My NHS Patient Access app has gone TITSUP*

The latest version of the UK National Health Service's Patient Access app and website, used to book appointments and to order repeat prescriptions, has been down for many users over the past 24 hours. Multiple users have reported to El Reg that they cannot log into the new version released yesterday. The service's status page …

[ArrZarr]

TITSUP -> Technology InsufficienT: Surgeries Using Paperwork.

[Anonymous Coward]

The old one was down for me for most of the Bank Holiday weekend so was unable to request a repeat prescription until Tuesday when it miraculously reappeared.

The new one looks suitably Web 3.0 so its bound to be fucking useless - can't login from work machine as the credentials don't appear to be in my LastPass account

[Martin]

Actually, the old credentials do work, but it's got a new address - that's why LastPass seems to have lost it. You'll have to set it up like a new site, but just copy'n'paste the i/d and password into the new site. Or edit the account directly in LastPass to change the address.

I know that the old credentials work as I have not successfully logged in (it just times out), but I HAVE had an email saying:-

Thank you for signing in to the new Patient Access, we hope you are enjoying the experience!

[Neil Barnes]

The old emiaccess server was down last mid-week (yes, I called it in). Name was resolving to IP, but nothing from the server, not even a ping. Got miraculously better a couple of hours after I flagged it - perhaps they were practicing?

[steviebuk]

That's more than likely management refusing to pay people for overtime or to be on call. So, quite rightly, all the engineers will refuse to work unless paid or given time off in lieu.

[Dr_N]

Easier to hop over to France?

And use https://www.doctolib.fr

No need to thank me.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Easier to hop over to France?

And use https://www.doctolib.fr

If your doctor has chosen to sign up for it. Many haven't, the specialist I wanted certainly isn't there.

[Anonymous Coward]

Lets pray

that the included "feature" 'GP Shared Record History' won't go TITSUP too and become "Shared to Anyone"

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Lets pray

How else are they going to explain google already having it?

[pɹɐʍoɔ snoɯʎuouɐ]

crap...

the new app is crap of the highest magnitude....

the old app did what was needed, I don't see the point of just changing how it looks, if they added new functionality that's another thing.... but its just new paint and curtains..... and not very nice curtains....

I was trying to log in for about 6 hours after it updated... would not accept my email or user id, and kept telling my my password was wrong....

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: crap...

I suspect a new director has been in and wanting to make their mark, changed shit for no reason.

I've seen it at local gov. A Comms Director decided to out of the blue leave. Before they left, got given the waste of money project to change the local govs logo. I'm pretty sure that was a "Here's something you can put on your CV for being a good mate" deal. The main things that have the new logo on are the dust carts. Everything else still has the old logo on. Why? Because I assume someone realised its fucking expensive having to replace all stationary and clothing people wear with the old logo on. And a MASSIVE waste of fucking public money.

[sad_loser]

NHS Digital is a failure magnet

Repeated rebranding has done nothing to dispel the stench of failure that hangs over Leeds.

The sad thing is that there are some really good people in there, but they are crushed by a tsunami of ineptitude and promotion above capability.

There are very few active clinicians (retired GPs don't count) involved and as a result the service delivers products that don't work and / or no one wants.

I would pare back NHS Digital to some architecture people, and outsource all the work to some dynamic organisations who have some concept that speed and competence are desirable traits.

We have killed the health SMEs in this country by locking them out of the infrastructure, and post-Brexit we need to do a lot better than just inviting a bunch of Americans to empty our wallets.

[AMBxx]

Re: NHS Digital is a failure magnet

>>> I would pare back NHS Digital to some architecture people, and outsource all the work to some dynamic organisations who have some concept that speed and competence are desirable traits.

Careful, those with budget control will translate that to Capita.

[Tromos]

I just tried the Patient Access app on my tablet. It tells me an update is required and to get it via the Play Store. Play Store tells me my device isn't compatible with this version.

Can I get a prescription for a new tablet on the NHS?

[J.Smith]

I'm new to this NHS website, after trying to get on it, I think I need to put in a valium prescription.

[Uberior]

Rumour has it that EMIS is an evolution of a package for veterinary surgeons. The version used in Health Centres has species hard-coded as "human".

Sometimes I wonder if it's a tall tale, but it also makes sense...

[Deimos]

EMIS

Ah yes the Excement maintenance info sys, one of several reasons for my second heart attack.

Although it would cause much screaming and pain, I would love to have one final, fully funded, fully supported try at replacing all the legacy IT crud that drags the NHS down.

It’s probably impossible but it would be a hell of a way to go. One huge team 50 % NHS human and 45 % devoted NHS loving techies, then try to find the best NHS IT Managers for the last 5%.

In my better dreams it succeeds (and I’m not old, fat or medically retired).

[Anonymous Coward]

NHS Digital

Only covers England I thought?

[David Roberts]

EMIS?

Other systems are available and also less user friendly.

I miss EMIS.

[BobPep]

Tried the new site in the hope of making GP appointment on June 3 only to find it doesn't work. Tried everything including re-registering and contacting customer service. Did receive a so called ticket number on same day (nothing since) have tried every day since (now June 7) but will most likely have to resort to phoning dragon ladies in GP reception