Business · Swindon
Swindon roots of firm behind nationwide GP website outage
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
The software provider responsible for a major outage across 1,000 UK GP websites has historic ties to Swindon, though local health officials confirm services remain operational.
A company that previously operated from offices in Swindon has been identified as the root of a significant nationwide disruption to GP practice websites. The firm, Silicon Practice, once a prominent fixture in the local business landscape at Lydiard Fields, saw its successor company enter administration, leading to temporary access issues for patient portals across England and Wales.
Silicon Practice was established in 2004 by Steve Treadwell and Jane Oddy, drawing on local technical talent from across the Swindon area. The company gained national recognition for its innovative digital forms, which allowed patients to communicate with their GP surgeries without relying solely on telephone systems. In its earlier years, the business was highly regarded by NHS digital leads for its contribution to modernising primary care access.
Following the move to remote working during the pandemic, the company scaled back its physical footprint in Swindon, eventually transitioning to an office in Blagrove for essential meetings and equipment storage. In 2023, the business was acquired by Schappit, a software provider that maintained a registered office in Blagrove. Official insolvency records from The Gazette confirm that administrators were appointed for Schappit on 16 October 2026.
Despite the widespread technical difficulties, which left many patients unable to access their local surgery websites, health authorities have moved to reassure the public that clinical services are largely unaffected. The Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board issued a statement confirming that patient records and clinical systems remain secure and fully functional.
A spokesperson for the local board emphasised that GP surgeries in the region remain open and are continuing to provide scheduled appointments. Patients experiencing difficulty accessing their practice online are advised to contact their surgery directly or visit the official Integrated Care Board website for guidance on alternative consultation routes and the latest service updates.
Source: Swindon Advertiser - Lifestyle · View original