Northern Lincolnshire and Goole cancellations after network attack

A hospital trust has cancelled all planned operations and outpatient appointments after its computer network was attacked.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust said its systems were infected with a virus on Sunday.

It said the matter was being treated as a “major incident”.

The trust, which runs hospitals in Goole, Grimsby and Scunthorpe, said the measures would remain in place for Monday and Tuesday.

Dr Karen Dunderdale, deputy chief executive, said: “A virus infected our electronic systems yesterday, and we have taken the decision, following expert advice, to shut down the majority of our systems so we can isolate and destroy it.

“Our main priority is patient safety. All adult patients should presume their appointment/procedure has been cancelled unless they are contacted. Those who turn up will be turned away.”

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The trust added that inpatients would be cared for and discharged as soon as they were medically fit, with major trauma cases and high risk women in labour being diverted to neighbouring hospitals.

It said: “We are reviewing the situation on an hourly basis. Our clinicians will continue to see, treat and operate on those patients who would be at significant clinical risk should their treatment be delayed.”

Further updates will be posted on the trust’s website.