Overview

• Most services remain operational, with manual workarounds in place where required.
• Email notifications are currently affected across our systems. Where possible, please access systems and platforms directly to check and action outstanding items rather than relying on email notifications.
• Some email-dependent functions are unavailable, including One Time Passwords (OTPs), password and MFA resets, and web forms. We recognise this may prevent some users from accessing services.
• Our IT Service Desk and Client Support Centre remain available by telephone or, for Fusion clients, through the SBS one portal.
• Your Service Manager will provide further guidance by telephone or Teams on any specific impacts or actions relevant to your services.

Teams may be used to contact NHS SBS colleagues where available. Please avoid sharing sensitive, personal or confidential information through this channel.

Microsoft Systems Disruption – 11:10am, Friday 13 November

We’re aware of the global Microsoft issues today, which are affecting most Microsoft products, including Outlook. We are invoking our business continuity plans, but clearly our communications channels are severely impacted as mostly likely are yours.

We want to reassure you that the majority of NHS SBS services remain operational, including critical services such as payments and payroll.  Our Business Continuity Plan has been activated, and our teams are working to minimise disruption, maintain service delivery and support clients through alternative arrangements where necessary.

While some email-dependent processes are currently unavailable, we are continuing to deliver services wherever possible and will keep you informed of any changes.

Service Updates

Finance & Accounting

• Payments continue to be processed as normal, although email notifications are unavailable.
• Hard close processes remain unaffected and will proceed as planned.
  Please contact your service manager, via telephone, if any emergency Faster Payments are required.

Enhanced Purchase to Pay (EP2P)

• Please work with your Service Manager to prioritise orders as we continue to manually monitor order flows with suppliers

Procurement

• Most orders continue to be processed.
• Where purchase orders depend on email communication, clients are advised to activate their own business continuity procedures until normal email services resume.

Employment Services

• Salary payments are unaffected.
• EPay and Selenity remain available and operational, although email notifications are currently unavailable.

We recognise the importance of the services we deliver and are focused on maintaining continuity and minimising disruption; we can share our Policy and Framework documents outlining our business continuity processes and our incident management process should this be required. We will provide our next update by 1pm, or sooner should there be a significant change.

If you have an urgent question or require support, please contact your Service Manager by telephone or Teams.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.