Cyber Attack Targets Three More Hospitals in Merseyside
Three additional hospitals in Merseyside have fallen victim to cyberattacks. Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust reported that its own systems, along with those of Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital and Royal Liverpool University Hospital, were compromised on Thursday.
The trust cautioned that hackers might release stolen data before a full investigation could be completed. This incident follows a similar attack on Wirral’s Arrowe Park Hospital.
Ongoing Investigation
Wirral University Teaching Hospital Trust declared a major incident on November 25, leading to long A&E waits and cancelled appointments. Alder Hey Trust has confirmed its investigation into the breach is “still ongoing” as they assess the extent of the compromised data.
A spokesperson said:
“We are taking this issue very seriously and are continuing investigations to determine whether confidential data has been obtained. Updates will be provided as soon as possible.”
Hackers have already published screenshots of some data online. However, the trust has secured its systems to prevent further access. Despite the breach, hospital services remain unaffected.
Arrowe Park’s Recovery Efforts
At Arrowe Park Hospital, systems are gradually being restored. The incident, initially declared a major event, has now been downgraded to a “business continuity incident.”
A hospital spokesperson explained:
“Some services will continue to be affected this week as systems are restored. Emergency treatment is being prioritised, but longer waiting times in A&E are still expected.”
Patients with outpatient appointments have been asked to attend as scheduled, while non-urgent cases are urged to seek alternative care through NHS 111, walk-in centres, urgent treatment centres, GPs, or pharmacies.
Collaborative Response
Merseyside Police, the National Crime Agency, and the National Cyber Security Centre are jointly working to support the affected hospitals and address the situation.
The public is advised to stay informed of further updates from the hospitals and to exercise caution regarding sensitive health information.