London hospitals cancel over 800 operations after ransomware attack

London hospitals cancel over 800 operations after ransomware attack

June 14, 2024 at 02:11PM

Multiple London hospitals impacted by Synnovis ransomware attack forced to cancel hundreds of operations and appointments. Synnovis, formerly known as Viapath, was established in 2009 and rebranded in October 2022. NHS services disrupted as Synnovis systems were locked out in June 3 attack. Ongoing effects expected for months, with potential blood reserve shortages.

Key Takeaways from the Meeting Notes:

– Multiple London hospitals were impacted by a Synnovis ransomware attack, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of planned operations and appointments.
– Synnovis, formerly known as Viapath, was established as a partnership between SYNLAB UK & Ireland, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and the King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
– Ongoing service disruptions at several healthcare providers were caused by Synnovis being locked out of its systems following the ransomware attack.
– Operations such as blood transfusions and testing have been significantly impacted, with over 800 planned operations and 700 outpatient appointments needing to be rearranged.
– Full system restoration at Synnovis is expected to take months, with continued disruption in the coming months.
– England’s NHS Blood and Transplant issued a warning about an O-positive and O-negative blood shortage at London hospitals, urging donors to schedule appointments to replenish reserves.
– The Qilin ransomware operation, previously known as “Agenda,” has been linked to numerous victims and is known for double-extortion attacks, with ransom demands ranging from $25,000 to millions.
– Hospital officials expressed regret for the delays in patient care and urged patients to attend appointments as planned.

These takeaways provide a comprehensive overview of the impact of the ransomware attack on hospital operations, the response from healthcare providers, and the characteristics of the Qilin ransomware operation.

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