Synnovis attack led to at least five cases of ‘moderate’ patient harm

The cyber attack on NHS pathology provider Synnovis caused at least 119 incidents of patient harm, including at least five cases of “moderate” harm, according to figures provided by South East London Integrated Care Board (ICB).

Healthcare services in London were disrupted by the attack in June 2024, with an NHS London update on 4 October showing that 10,152 acute outpatient appointments and 1,710 elective procedures were postponed at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS FT.

South East London ICB told Digital Health News that of 498 patient safety incidents linked to the attack, 114 were deemed to have caused “low harm” and five at Guy’s and St Thomas’ caused “moderate” harm.

There are also 91 related patient safety incidents being reviewed – 67 at King’s College Hospital and 24 at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

Helen Hughes, chief executive of Patient Safety Learning, told Digital Health News: “In addition to these recorded cases of harm, this incident may have resulted in further patient harm that is more difficult to capture.

“Disruption caused by cyber attacks often results in significant delays to care and treatment, with longer waits having a particularly serious impact on patients with chronic conditions and worsening health.

“The impact of these delays will only be seen over time.”

Read full story

Source: Digital Health, 12 November 2024