Major London hospitals postponed some operations on Tuesday due to a “major impact” from a cyber attack.
On an essential supplier, especially for blood transfusions, according to internal memos shared on social media.
King’s College Hospital
The attack on pathology partner Synnovis targeted King’s College Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’ in the heart of the British capital.
“I can confirm that our pathology partner Synnovis experienced a major IT incident earlier today.
Which is ongoing,” Ian Abbs, CEO of Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, wrote in the memo.
“This is having a major impact on the delivery of our services, with blood transfusions being particularly affected. “Some activity has already been cancelled or redirected to other providers,” he added.
Health Service Journal
According to senior sources, the Health Service Journal (HSJ) trade publication reported that the system had been targeted by a ransomware attack. According to one source, accessing pathology results could take “weeks, not days”.
National Cyber Security Centre
The health service said it was working “urgently” with the country’s main cyber security agency.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), as well as its own cyber operations team, to fully understand the incident’s implications.
In May 2017, a cyber incident disrupted businesses and government services worldwide.
Affecting more than one-third of England’s 236 NHS trusts and cancelling an estimated 19,000 appointments in a single week.
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