NHS cyber attack: Theresa May says 'no evidence patient data compromised' in hacking

Theresa May has said the attack was part of an international hacking
PA

Theresa May has said the cyber attack on NHS hospitals is part of a wider international attack and there is no evidence patient data has been compromised.

The Prime Minister said the attack was "not targeted" at the health service but was part of a wider assault on organisations across a number of countries.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is working to support the NHS.

Mrs May said: "We are aware that a number of NHS organisations have reported that they have suffered from a ransomware attack.

A message appearing on a computer at an NHS trust
PA

"This is not targeted at the NHS, it's an international attack and a number of countries and organisations have been affected.

"The National Cyber Security Centre is working closely with NHS digital to ensure that they support the organisations concerned and that they protect patient safety.

"And, we are not aware of any evidence that patient data has been compromised.”

At least 40 NHS trusts are believed to have been targeted in the attack on Friday, which saw hospital staff unable to access patients’ medical information.

St Bartholomew's Hospital has been hit by the attack
Getty Images

Four London hospitals, the Royal London, St Bartholomew's, Whipps Cross and Newham, were targeted by hackers, who have demanded more than £400,000 to stop the attack.

A spokesman for the Bart Health Trust, which runs the hospitals, said delays were to be expected.

Numerous patients across the country have reported having their operations cancelled.

A spokesman for NHS Digital, which manages health service cyber security, said: "At this stage, we do not have any evidence that patient data has been accessed.

"We will continue to work with affected organisations to confirm this."

He added the attack "was not specifically targeted at the NHS and is affecting organisations from across a range of sectors".

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