Major London Hospitals Disrupted by Synnovis Cyber Attack
Several major London hospitals, including Barts Health NHS Trust, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, have been hit by a cyber attack targeting the IT systems of Synnovis, a provider of specialist radiology services. The attack, which is believed to have occurred on Saturday, January 14th, has disrupted access to key patient information systems, including electronic patient records, radiology images, and laboratory results. This has caused significant disruption to patient care, leading to the cancellation of appointments and delays in diagnosis and treatment. Synnovis released a statement confirming the attack and stating that they were working “around the clock” to restore services. The company said that the attack had targeted its servers and had resulted in the temporary loss of access to certain systems. The affected hospitals have implemented contingency plans and are working to restore services as quickly as possible. However, it is unclear at this stage when full functionality will be restored. The London Ambulance Service has issued a statement advising patients to expect delays in accessing emergency care and to consider alternative options, such as local walk-in centers, if possible. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is working with the affected organizations to investigate the attack and provide support. The NCSC has advised organizations to be vigilant and to take steps to protect their systems from similar attacks. This cyber attack highlights the growing threat posed by cybercrime to the healthcare sector. Hospitals and other healthcare organizations rely heavily on digital systems to deliver patient care, and disruptions to these systems can have serious consequences for patients’ health and well-being. It is essential that healthcare organizations take steps to protect their systems from cyber attacks, including implementing strong cybersecurity measures, educating staff about cybersecurity risks, and having robust contingency plans in place to minimize disruption in the event of an attack.
Major London Hospitals Disrupted by Synnovis Cyber Attack
Summary:
Multiple hospitals in London have been disrupted by a cyber attack on Synnovis, a clinical software provider used by the hospitals. The attack has affected patient records, appointments, and other essential services.
Details:
* Hospitals affected include: Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and Barts Health NHS Trust. * Synnovis is a provider of electronic patient records (EPR) systems and other clinical software. * The attack occurred on August 10, 2022, and has impacted the availability of patient data and essential hospital systems. * Hospitals are working to restore services and provide alternative arrangements for patients. However, delays and disruptions are expected.
Impact on Patients:
* Patients are urged to contact their hospitals directly for updates on appointments and access to medical records. * Some appointments may be delayed or rescheduled. * Hospitals are encouraging patients to attend appointments as scheduled unless they are contacted otherwise.
Response from Synnovis:
* Synnovis has acknowledged the cyber attack and is working to resolve the issue. * The company is conducting a full investigation into the incident and has notified relevant authorities.
NHS Response:
* The National Health Service (NHS) has said it is aware of the incident and is working with Synnovis and affected hospitals to support them in their response. * The NHS has emphasized the importance of patient safety and is working to minimize disruption to services.
Ongoing Investigation:
* The Metropolitan Police Service is investigating the cyber attack. * It is too early to say who is responsible for the attack or what the motive may be.
Advice for Patients:
* Contact your hospital directly for any updates or concerns. * Be patient and understanding as hospitals work to restore services. * If you have an urgent medical need, please call 999 or attend your nearest emergency department.
