Hackers cancel teenager’s cancer scan EK schoolboy left in the lurch after NHS systems are crippled

NHS Lanarkshire closed its nonessential networked IT systems temporarily after being affected by the attack.

All their sites remain open but over the weekend the public was asked to only attend hospital in the event of an emergency.

Judith Park, NHS Lanarkshire director of access, said: “Unfortunately, due to the international cyber-attack, we could only undertake clinically urgent and emergency scans over the weekend.

“However, I can confirm that one of our consultants has since contacted Mrs Kerr on Monday to provide a full update on Gregor’s condition, his

treatment plan moving forward, and to apologise for any distress caused.”

Scottish Government health secretary Shona Robison said: “This week’s incident emphasises the importance for all of us to have appropriate measures in place to protect against these kinds of attack.

“We have taken all necessary steps to ensure the cause and nature of this attack is identified and have managed to isolate the issues within the NHS in Scotland.”

Central Scotland list MSP Monica Lennon described the situation as “concerning”.

“Nicola Sturgeon dodged a direct question on whether health boards still use outdated software,” she said yesterday.

“Scottish Labour have been raising concerns with SNP ministers about cyber-crime and hacking to our NHS for years and experts have blamed this latest hacking crisis on a reliance on out-of-date software such as Microsoft Windows XP.

“Patients must receive assurances from the Scottish Government and health board bosses that measures are being put in place to prevent this from happening again.

“Local health services must have robust security measures in place to protect their data and IT systems.”