AROUND half of GP surgeries in the Cumbrian region were affected by a major global IT outage - which left some patients unable to book appointments in the area.

The major IT outage yesterday, which affected users around the world, was due to an update implemented by the computer threat checker Crowdstrike Falcon, according to industry experts.

It affected banks, IT firms and airlines as well as healthcare operations.

A rough estimate from the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) found that the estimated affected surgeries in the North East and North Cumbria region overall is about half, although the affected surgeries were all still working and caring for patients, the board said.

Surgeries in Brampton, Workington, Barrow and Grasmere all released statements informing patients they have been affected by the issue.

EMIS Web, an appointment and patient record system, is the most widely used clinical system for primary care in the UK. The system reported issues during the global IT outage.

Workington GP practice issued an 'urgent' update yesterday, July 19 after their system went down.

In a statement on social media, practice said: "Our medical system EMIS is currently down, this is a national problem but means that we are unable to book any appointments.

"Please do not call the surgery for an appointment until you receive a message to say the system is back up as we are not able to book any appointments.

"If you have a medical problem that cant wait please call 111."

North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, which oversees GP practices in the region, said that ambulance services are busy but there is currently no known impact on 999 or other emergency services.

Dr Neil O'Brien, chief medical officer at North East and North Cumbria ICB, said: "Our teams are all working hard to minimise disruption to NHS services from this worldwide issue.

"We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this causes, and would ask everyone to be patient while we manage the situation.

"GP practices, hospitals and community services are busier than usual, so we ask the public to use NHS services sensibly – only call 999 or go to A&E if it is life-threatening. GP practices are still open, but if you don't need their help urgently, please consider calling your surgery on another day instead.

"If you have a booked appointment, please do attend unless you are told otherwise."