Patients attending services across the UL Hospital Group’s six Midwest facilities are being warned to expect long delays today, as a result of a serious ransomware attack on HSE IT systems.
The entire network has been shut down and the HSE is liaising with Gardaí and the National Cyber Security Centre to assess the extent of it.
The HSE has shut down all of its IT systems following a “sophisticated” cyber attack overnight, believed to be carried out by international criminals.
The main attack began in the early hours of this morning, after which systems were switched off to protect data and assess the extent of the situation.
It’s resulted in disruption and cancellation of services at hospitals across the country, while Tusla systems are not operating, including the portal used to make child protection referrals.
The National Ambulance Service is operating as normal though, with emergency calls still being handled.
And HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid says the Covid Vaccination Programme is not affected.
While vaccinations are continuing, the GP referral system for patients to be booked in for tests is not working.
People with symptoms of COVID-19 are still asked to phone their GPs
A Clare-based IT Security Expert says this type of attack is becoming more and more common and is both difficult to trace and clean up after.
Managing Director of IT Security People in Clarecastle, Edel Mee is warning anyone who provides support services to the health service to be wary of files sent to them over the coming weeks when dealing with HSE data.
The UL Hospitals Group has issued an update to patients on the impact of today’s attack on local services.
Long delays are expected for patients attending services across the UL Hospitals Group’s six hospitals in Clare, Limerick and Tipperary today, with people advised to attend, unless they are directly contacted by the hospital.
Emergency services and unscheduled care is continuing, including in the Emergency Department on Dooradoyle, though people are being asked not to pressent there unless it’s an emergency.
Those with less serious illnesses should consider other care options including family doctors, out-of-hours GP services, and local pharmacies.
The Injury Units in Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s are also operating, as well as and the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit/Maternity Emergency Unit at University Maternity Hospital Limerick.
