June 4, 2024 at 12:22PM
Ransomware attack on pathology provider Synnovis impacts multiple major NHS hospitals in London. Blood transfusions and healthcare services affected. Emergency care available, but procedures canceled or redirected. Synnovis systems inaccessible, impacting quick-turnaround blood tests. Synnovis, previously Viapath, is a partnership between SYNLAB UK & Ireland, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Other recent ransomware attacks in healthcare.
From the provided meeting notes, it is clear that a ransomware attack targeting pathology and diagnostic services provider Synnovis has severely impacted healthcare services at multiple major NHS hospitals in London. The attack has led to a significant disruption in services, particularly affecting blood transfusions and healthcare procedures. Impacted hospitals have canceled procedures and redirected some services to other providers due to safety concerns.
The ransomware attack has also affected urgent and emergency care, as quick-turnaround blood test results are no longer available. Synnovis’ customer service portal has issued an alert indicating issues at its data center and that all systems are currently inaccessible. The incident has caused major disruptions in healthcare services, with a significant impact on patient care and hospital operations.
This incident is part of a larger trend, as other healthcare organizations such as Synlab Italia and the Dumfries & Galloway NHS health board have also been targeted by ransomware attacks in the past, leading to the suspension of medical services and data breaches. These attacks highlight the vulnerability of healthcare organizations to cyber threats and the potential consequences for patient care and data security.
It is essential for healthcare providers to prioritize cybersecurity measures and establish robust incident response plans to mitigate the impact of such attacks in the future. Additionally, collaboration with cybersecurity authorities and the adoption of best practices in data protection are crucial for safeguarding patient information and maintaining continuity of healthcare services.