Cyber Crime
UK Hospital Hit by Cyber Attack: Critical Medical Services Disrupted, IPD and OPD Shift to Manual Operations
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital has launched an investigation into claims of a potential data breach that may have exposed sensitive patient records and other confidential information. The breach, reportedly affecting systems shared with Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, has sparked serious concerns about data security in the UK healthcare sector.
In a statement, Alder Hey acknowledged that data purportedly stolen from its systems has been circulating online and on social media.
The hospital is collaborating with partners to verify the leaked data, said to include records dating from 2018 to 2024, and to assess the potential impact. Despite the breach, Alder Hey reassured the public that its services remain operational.
The cyberattack was linked to the ransomware group Inc Ransom, which added Alder Hey to its Tor-based leak site, claiming responsibility for stealing patient records, donor reports, and more.
Separately, Wirral University Teaching Hospital recently reported a cyberattack that forced it to take its systems offline and revert to manual processes. While services continue to operate, the disruption has led to delays, including postponed procedures and extended emergency department wait times.
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Though the specific nature of the attack on Wirral remains unconfirmed, ransomware is suspected, given the shutdown of its digital systems—a standard precautionary measure against such threats.
These incidents highlight the growing vulnerability of healthcare institutions to cyberattacks, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive medical data and ensure service continuity.