Ransomware disruptions contributed to a patient death, NHS finds

• A ransomware attack targeted a healthcare organisation in the UK
• The disruptions to patient care tragically contributed to a patient death
• Criminals target critical services as they are likely to pay the ransom

Ransomware attacks are devastating for victims, but this has now reached a new and tragic level, with the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) confirming that an attack on London hospitals in 2024 that forced ambulances to be diverted and disrupted blood testing has contributed to a patient's death.

This attack targeted Synnovis, a London-based pathology service, and cybercriminal group Qilin caused severe disruptions to the blood-testing services, and the delay in a blood test was a ‘contributing factor’ to the death of a patient.

Around 800 operations and 700 outpatient appointments were cancelled or rescheduled due to the attack, and personal information such as names, dates of birth, NHS numbers, and even blood test data ...