NHS Wales 'one step ahead' of cyber virus attack

The man in charge of computer systems for NHS Wales has explained how they were prepared for a cyber attack but there is still no room for complacency.

The ransomware that hit the NHS in England and Scotland, known as Wanna Decryptor or WannaCry, has infected 200,000 machines in 150 countries since Friday.

There was no serious impact on the health service in Wales, compared to England, but Andrew Griffiths, director of the NHS Informatics Service in Wales, said preparedness was only part of the story.

  • They killed the virus on six computers in NHS Wales over the weekend and also removed computers subject to suspicious activity although the anti-virus software had done its job.

  • Only 37 computers out of 55,000 operating in NHS Wales were affected.

  • Some computers with Windows XP are still being used in Wales for a limited number of systems - but was plugged with software released by Microsoft over the weekend. XP has been removed over the years with more investment.

  • A small number of non-urgent appointments involving 40 patients set for cancer scans at Velindre in Cardiff were put back 24 hours to allow for the scanner's software to be updated, as a precaution.

  • A combination of investment "over many years" and joined up approach of NHS Wales and health boards in Wales made a difference

  • Subsection
  • Published