Google is mistaking high traffic from the NHS network for a cyber attack, with some staff being temporarily blocked from accessing its search engine.

The problem is affecting access to the US search giant across the NHS network, with many users being asked to fill in a form to confirm they are not a robot before they are able to access the site.

An email sent to staff from the IT department at one NHS Trust said: "Google is intermittently blocking access due to the amount of traffic from NHS trusts nationally.

"This is causing Google to think it is suffering a cyber attack.

"We are advising staff to use an alternative search engine ie Bing to bypass the problem."


NHS Digital confirmed the problem, saying: "We are aware of the current issue concerning NHS IP addresses which occasionally results in users being directed to a simple verification form when accessing Google.

"This would appear to be due to the high number of people using our systems and trying to access Google at peak times. We are currently in discussion with Google to help resolve the issue."

It is unclear what is causing the increased traffic from the NHS, one of the world's five largest employers with around 1.5 million staff.

Kat Hall, from technology website The Register, first reported the issue.

She told Sky News: "It's possible there has been an unexpected surge in traffic, and given the sheer size of the NHS network Google automatically took preventative measures, or it could be due to a change in Google's algorithms.

"There's also the possibility that some malware has been detected on the NHS's broadband network."

Google said its systems were working correctly.

The company said the problem could be caused by a network sending automated traffic or the presence of malware on a computer within a network.