Health board 'running as normal' after cyber attack

It is feared that patient data may have been stolen during the cyber attack on NHS Dumfries and Galloway

Scotland's health secretary has tried to re-assure patients and staff at a health board after a "focused" cyber-attack.

Speaking at Holyrood, Neil Gray said steps are being taken to help people protect themselves, and called on staff and the public to "be on their guard".

NHS Dumfries and Galloway said its services are "generally running as normal".

But it said it was concerned that "those responsible may have acquired a significant amount of data including patient and staff-specific information".

It is working with Police Scotland, the National Cyber Security Centre and the Scottish government after the attack on its IT systems on Friday.

It said there remains a risk that services could be disrupted and work into the full impact of the incursion is ongoing.

Jeff Ace, NHS Dumfries and Galloway's chief executive, said in a statement that "a very great effort is being made to address this situation, and to try to prevent it from being repeated".

Mr Ace said there was "reason to believe that those responsible may have acquired patient and staff-specific data".

Chief executive Jeff Ace says services are "generally running as normal"

He added: "The NHS Board views patient and staff confidentiality as a key priority, along with ensuring welfare and wellbeing.

"As such, very great effort is being made to address this situation, and to try to prevent it from being repeated.

“We will look to update as and when we can, but in the meantime would again caution staff and patients to be on their guard for anyone accessing their systems, or anyone making contact with them claiming to be in possession of any information.

"Any such incidents should be reported immediately to Police Scotland on 101.”

'Minimal' impact on services

Responding to a question at Holyrood from Finlay Carson, the Conservative MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, the health secretary said any breach of confidential data is an "extremely important and serious matter".

Mr Gray added: "I am pleased to say that at the moment there has been minimal impact on patient services.

"It's important to note that the incident has resulted in the need for some staff to change working practices in the short term."

Police Scotland confirmed its investigation into the incident is ongoing.

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