Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
NHS staff batten down hatches in cyber attack
Bosses praise ‘heroic team effort’ in dealing with problem
Staff and partners at NHS Lanarkshire have been praised for their “heroic team effort” during last week’s disruptive cyber attack.
Frontline staff, as well as many in support roles, efficiently protected patient care and safety, thwarting the efforts of global hackers.
Across Scotland, 11 from 14 health boards were hit by the attacks and within NHS Lanarkshire, a specially assembled strategic group, led by chief executive Calum Campbell, made a prompt decision at 4pm last Friday to contain any potential damage and moved to close down the computer systems.
A team of in-house IT professionals then worked around the clock to restore vital systems and ensure patient safety in the face of extreme challenges created by the lockdown.
As a result of the collective efforts, significant progress was made and the vast majority of planned operations proceeded as normal on Monday.
A delighted Mr Campbell said: “All staff groups have shown outstanding commitment. In particular, it should be recognised that NHS Lanarkshire’s eHealth department has gone above and beyond and worked tirelessly throughout the weekend to restore critical systems and secure the IT infrastructure.
“Overall, many people have played their part and I think the outcomes speak for themselves.
“We maintained access to all three Lanarkshire emergency departments throughout the weekend, for example, working closely with Scottish Ambulance Service and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.”
He continued: “Whilst staff worked around the clock we acknowledge some patients had operations and appointments cancelled.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience and we are endeavouring to rearrange these now. I’m incredibly proud of all staff and partners for their heroic team effort and resilience shown to overcome the many local challenges that were thrown up by this significant global incident.”
The cyber attack caused chaos throughout the area, with one Lanarkshire teenager’s blood cancer test at Monklands hospital cancelled at the eleventh hour.
Gregor Kerr, 15, was due to be scanned for cancer in his blood after his red cell count and iron levels tested dangerously high.
But the ransomware attack forced his appointment to be postponed, leaving his mother Lorraine worried and angry.
She said: “We’ve been waiting on this appointment for so long.
“When I heard about the cyber attack I thought it would be fine as surely they would have paper records but I was told on the phone the NHS are a ‘paperless system’.
“They should have a contingency plan; now we’re stuck in limbo and still don’t know what’s going on with Gregor when we’ve been trying to get answers for two years. “I’m so angry and it’s very worrying.” An NHS Lanarkshire spokesperson confirmed Gregor had received a full update on his condition and added: “Patients should attend their planned appointments and admissions unless we have contacted them directly to advise them not to do so.
“We are delighted that the vast majority of outpatient clinics and planned operations will ahead as normal.
“Thanks to all our staff who have worked tirelessly over the weekend.”