HSE Suffers Cyberattack & Shuts Down Its Entire IT Network.

The Covid vaccination programme isn't affected

The HSE has shut down its entire IT system after a major cyber attack.

The Covid vaccination programme isn't affected - but the Rotunda Hospital has cancelled most appointments for today.

Stephen Murphy reports:

"The HSE has confirmed there's been a "significant ransomware attack" on its IT systems - and has shut down the entire network to protect them.

It's apologised for the inconvenience caused to patients and the public.

Covid vaccinations aren't affected and are going ahead as planned.

The Rotunda has cancelled all appointments for today - except for women who are more than 36 weeks pregnant.

It's urging people not to attend the hospital unless it's an emergency. "

Technology correspondent Jess Kelly says the incident is very worrying:

We apologise for inconvenience caused to patients and to the public and will give further information as it becomes available.
Vaccinations not effected are going ahead as planned.

— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) May 14, 2021

The National Ambulance Service is operating as normal, with emergency calls still being handled.

Chief Executive of the HSE, Paul Reid says other services will be affected too - but people should attend their appointment unless they hear otherwise:

The National Ambulance Service @AmbulanceNAS are operating as per normal with no impact on emergency ambulance call handling and dispatch nationally.

— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) May 14, 2021

Technology correspondent Jess Kelly explains how these types of attacks work:

Ireland's health service operator shut down all its IT systems to protect it from what it described as a significant ransomware attack but said its COVID-19 vaccination program was unaffected https://t.co/24agI2xckq pic.twitter.com/huOEsodl2s

— Reuters (@Reuters) May 14, 2021

The child and family agency Tusla has now confirmed its systems aren't operating because of the HSE cyber attack.

It includes the portal that's used to make child protection referrals.

Anyone wanting to make a referral can contact their local Tusla office.

Despite a serious HSE IT issue nationally, we are working as normal today @CoombeHospital. Outpatient appointments still going ahead but there may be some delays from time to time. Please bear with our staff who are doing everything they can on your behalf.

— The Coombe Hospital (@CoombeHospital) May 14, 2021

On Friday afternoon, it was confirmed that the system for referring people to get a Covid-19 test was down because of the  cyber attack.

GPs will be asking people to attend a walk-in testing centre instead - but existing appointments will go ahead.

Our #COVID19Vaccination centres in #Citywest and #Punchestown @HSECHO7 are currently unaffected by @HSELive IT system interruption and are operating as normal today. Please attend your appointment if scheduled #ForUsAll

— HSE Dublin and Midlands (@HSEDubMidlands) May 14, 2021

The National Ambulance Service isn't affected .

HSE chief executive Paul Reid says neither are Covid vaccinations:

On Friday afternoon,  UL Hospitals Group has warned that long delays are expected today due to the cyber attack.

But emergency services will continue to operate, and anyone with a pre-arranged outpatient appointment should attend.

It's reminded people in the South West there's a number of alternatives to the Emergency Department, that are more appropriate for less serious illnesses.

Similar warnings are being issued by the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group:

Due to the significant ransomware attack on @HSELive IT systems, all routine appointments have been cancelled for today across St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network sites.

Further updates will be provided as available.#SLRON @Beaumont_Dublin @stjamesdublin @GMJackie1 pic.twitter.com/fvAVzWhMMi

— HSE Dublin and Midlands (@HSEDubMidlands) May 14, 2021

On Friday afternoon, the HSE said thousands of appointments might have to be cancelled if the effects of today's cyber attack stretch into next week.

The executive is working with Gardai and Interpol after its systems were targeted in the early hours of this morning.

Some maternity and cancer services aren't operating - and patients whose appointments are going ahead can expect delays.

The system to refer people for a Covid test and the portal to register for a coronavirus vaccine are down.

HSE Chief Operations Officer, Anne O'Connor, says more services might have to be cancelled:

🔸HSE Ransomware Attack

🗣️As you will have heard in the news this morning, there has been a significant ransomware attack on the HSE IT systems.
As a precaution, they have shut down IT systems in order to protect them. Vaccinations are not affected and will go ahead as planned.

— MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) May 14, 2021

Eoghan Moloney is a Breaking News journalist at Independent.ie.

He joined Ciara Plunkett on Friday afternoon's edition of Kildare Focus with a reprise of the timeline.

The ransomware attack on the HSE IT systems is having considerable impact on services at University Hospital Galway, and at Merlin Park and Portiuncula hospitals.

All outpatient x-ray, CT and MRI appointments are cancelled, while at UHG radiotherapy appointments have been cancelled.

In addition to the IT systems, some telephone systems are also affected.

Outpatient, chemotherapy and maternity appointments are continuing as normal and patients should attend their appointments.

Patients can expect delays in all clinics and in the Emergency Department today.
 

Due to the current disruption of the HSE IT systems, updates to the GeoHive COVID-19 Hub are paused until further notice.

— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) May 14, 2021