Description

Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH), part of the NHS Foundation Trust, announced earlier this week that it had experienced a cyber security incident. The Trust oversees several hospitals that provide critical services, including emergency care, surgery, cancer treatment, maternity, pediatrics, and diagnostics. According to WUTH’s latest update, the disruptions caused by the attack are expected to continue through the weekend. Upon detecting unusual activity, the hospital swiftly isolated its IT systems to prevent further damage. As a result, some systems were taken offline, prompting a temporary shift to paper-based processes in affected areas. WUTH is collaborating with national cybersecurity experts and prioritizing the restoration of normal operations as soon as possible. The cyberattack has caused delays and led to the postponement of certain procedures and planned services. Patients are advised to attend their scheduled appointments unless notified otherwise, although longer wait times are expected for unplanned treatments in the Emergency Department and assessment units. Emergency care remains the hospital’s priority, though disruptions are affecting other areas. A source familiar with the situation indicated that manual processes are severely impacting hospital operations. Staff are unable to access digital records, lab results, or patient files, which has led to the suspension of X-rays, treatments, and surgeries. Some patients are being redirected to hospitals in Liverpool for their appointments, though it is unclear when normal services will resume. Currently, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.