Age UK - Update on NHS services following cyber attack

15 May 2017 08:10 PM

Following last week's cyber security attack, the NHS has advised patients to attend any planned GP surgery appointments unless they are told otherwise. 

  • The NHS was hit by a randsomware attack targeting its IT systems, which has impacted its services
  • Patients have been told to attend any GP and hospital appointments they have scheduled unless they have been contacted
  • They have also been advised to go online to check for updates on services at their local hospital. 

Dr Anne Rainsberry, NHS Incident Director, said:

'The NHS has continued to treat patients throughout the weekend. We have been working with 47 organisations providing urgent and emergency care who have been infected to varying degrees. Most have found ways of working around this but seven, including St Barts in London, have asked for extra support.

'If you have a hospital appointment you should still attend unless you are contacted and told not to.

'We have also been offering advice and assistance to GP surgeries, who will open as usual tomorrow. Again, if you have an appointment you should still attend unless contacted and told not to.

'People should continue to use the NHS wisely and remember that they can seek help and advice from a range of other sources, such as pharmacies and NHS 111.

'Bearing in mind the impact of the global cyber attack I would urge people to be patient with staff.'

Go to the NHS website for more information

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For more information:Call Age UK Advice: 0800 169 2081