May 13, 2017 9.53 am
This story is over 54 months old
Outpatient appointments cancelled: Lincolnshire hospitals still affected by ransomware attack
NHS services in Lincolnshire are still among national and international organisations affected by a ransomware attack on IT systems. The virus has affected all hospitals in Lincolnshire and led to the cancellation of outpatient appointments endoscopies, CT and MRI scans. Patients are being told to avoid A&E unless the situation is critical. The NHS has…
NHS services in Lincolnshire are still among national and international organisations affected by a ransomware attack on IT systems.
The virus has affected all hospitals in Lincolnshire and led to the cancellation of outpatient appointments endoscopies, CT and MRI scans.
Patients are being told to avoid A&E unless the situation is critical.
The NHS has insisted there is no evidence that patient data has been compromised and that the UK’s cyber security experts are working “around the clock” to restore systems.
The malware used in the attack is called WannaCry and attacks Windows operating systems.
Staff were faced with pop-ups stating files had been encrypted on the user’s computer, blocking them from view, before demanding money in the form of bitcoin.
The message being displayed on NHS computer systems.
The former director for intelligence and cyber operations at GCHQ Brian Lord has been quoted as stating the NHS is particularly vulnerable to these types of attacks because of its aging IT systems.
A ULHT spokesperson said: “ULHT hospitals are still affected by the cyber attack that hit many trusts nationally yesterday.
“We are asking patients to stay away unless their condition is serious or life threatening. This will help us to work through the issues and continue to provide safe patient care.
“We have teams working to restore our IT systems as soon as possible.
“Please do not use A&E unless it is a life-threatening emergency. If you feel unwell you should contact NHS 111.
“You should visit or call your pharmacy as usual for prescriptions and minor illnesses. Please do not use urgent care services to access prescriptions.
“All outpatient appointments, endoscopies, CT and MRI scans have been cancelled for this weekend.
“We will continue to assess the situation over the weekend and will provide further updates as and when.”
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A Lincolnshire farmer says this year’s Brussel sprouts are going to be the best they’ve been for many, many years.
Robin Hancox, managing director at Lincolnshire Field Products and FreshLinc haulage firm, has been speaking out about the ‘extreme pressure’ facing the industry – but he says the weather has been kind to the country’s vegetables.
He said: “I can categorically say that the quality of the Brussel sprouts for this year’s Christmas lunch will be of the highest quality that it’s been for many, many years.”
But Mr Hancox says the pressures facing the industry mean “inevitably prices are going to have to go up”.
From 4am on Tuesday, December 7, anyone wishing to travel to the UK must show proof of a negative PCR or LFD pre-departure test, taken no earlier than 48 hours before departure. This applies to vaccinated passengers and children aged 12 and above.
Nigeria will slo be added to the travel red list from 4am Monday, December 6, following 21 cases of Omicron reported in England which are linked to travel from this country, with 134 UK cases now reported in total.
New Government analysis indicates the window between infection and infectiousness may be shorter for the Omicron COVID variant, which increases the efficacy of pre-departure testing as it is more likely to identify positive cases before travel.
Airlines will be required to check for pre-departure tests alongside completed Passenger Locator Form, and passengers will not be allowed to board a flight without providing evidence of a negative test result.
Given the reduced incubation period of the Omicron variant, passengers are advised to take the pre-departure test as close as possible to their scheduled departure to the UK and no earlier than 48 hours before travelling.
The Government said these additional measures are vital to delay the import of additional cases and slow the rise in cases within the UK.
All temporary measures will be reviewed after three weeks to ensure that they remain necessary and proportionate, and this will take place on December 20.
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