NHS London statement on Synnovis ransomware cyber attack

[helvella]

I am posting this using the NHS' own website version - it is covered across news sites as well.

It seems it is having a major impact on blood tests - which might immediately affect some members. As well as the rest of the impact.

NHS London statement on Synnovis ransomware cyber attack

4 June 2024

News

A spokesperson for NHS England London region said:

“On Monday 3 June Synnovis, a provider of lab services, was the victim of a ransomware cyber attack.

“This is having a significant impact on the delivery of services at Guy’s and St Thomas’, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trusts and primary care services in south east London and we apologise for the inconvenience this is causing to patients and their families.

“Emergency care continues to be available, so patients should access services in the normal way by dialling 999 in an emergency and otherwise using 111, and patients should continue to attend appointments unless they are told otherwise. We will continue to provide updates for local patients and the public about the impact on services and how they can continue to get the care they need.

“We are working urgently to fully understand the impact of the incident with the support of the government’s National Cyber Security Centre and our Cyber Operations team.”

Background

Some activity has already been cancelled or redirected to other providers as urgent work is prioritised.

Emergency care continues to be available, including using 111 online as the first port of call for health needs, and only using 999 if it is a serious or life-threatening emergency. For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, you can visit the NHS UK website. Patients should continue to attend appointments unless told otherwise.

Synnovis is a partnership between SYNLAB UK & Ireland, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Synnovis provides services to the NHS, clinical users and other service users. For more information visit synnovis.co.uk/

NHS providers have tried and tested business continuity plans for instances like this, which includes offering mutual aid.

Date published: 4 June, 2024

Date last updated: 4 June, 2024

england.nhs.uk/london/2024/...

[AmandaK]

It's possible something similar has happened at another (though non-London) hospital.

I've just received the results of a medical investigation that I didn't have and not received the results of the medical investigation that I did have. The consultant has apologised, claiming it was an error with the server.

My IT-security-lecturer husband is not convinced and thinks it might be more fundamental, i.e. the outcome of a security breach.

Could 'just' be human error, but it's concerning that the wrong letters are being sent to the wrong people.

[AmandaK in reply to AmandaK]

PS given the populace is being frogmarched into accepting more digitisation of services in general, we can expect more of these breaches. I'm sounding like a prophetess of doom!

[Jo5454 in reply to AmandaK]

Yes,very concerning. I joined rhe NHS app couple months ago, thought I needed to provide a photo I'd,but it didn't seem to require that. Few weeks later I had someone else's blood pressure weeks readings on there who shares same birthday as me! Hope you get your results soon!