Health officials have confirmed they can’t reassure people their sensitive medical data won’t be published online.
The health system remains under massive pressure today following last week’s cyber- attack on the HSE.
Medical professionals are already under extreme pressure because of Covid 19.
This has been exacerbated by this cyber-attack – which has been described as a zero day attack as it’s never been seen before.
Doctors and nurses in many hospitals are now trying to treat patients with no records.
Radiology and blood samples are among the worst affected – lab capacity for checking samples is as low as 10%.
Runners are now being used in hospitals to physically bring results of tests from department to department.
The HSE’s Chief Clinical Officer Colm Henry says the attack is revolting.
"We won't wreck each other's heads discussing how evil and how disgusting this behaviour it."
"To hijack a plane full of ill people, that's effectively what has happened here."
Our Emergency Departments are open and operating. We are here to help in all medical emergencies. Call 112 or 999 immediately for emergency help - our ambulance services are also operating. More: https://t.co/nd00qZ09Ci pic.twitter.com/zFfUAegRjQ
— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) May 17, 2021
Government Insists It Won't Pay The Ransom
The HSE has also confirmed it can’t reassure people their private and sensitive medical information won’t be leaked online by the hackers.
The Government’s repeated its insistence it won’t be paying the ransom.
While the amount the hackers want hasn’t been disclosed with some speculation it’s $20 million.
Work will now and continue to try and fix the attack but it will be painstakingly slow.
Many appointments will be affected but urgent care is continuing
