NEWS
Cyber attack effects could last months
The effects of the recent cyber attack on pathology services provider Synnovis could last for ‘months’ an NHS update has revealed. The clinical impact of the attack has seen a significant reduction during June and July in the number of tests which could be processed and reported back to clinical teams at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospitals NHS Trust.
NHS England London declared
a regional incident and has been coordinating work across affected services, as well as with neighbouring providers and national partners, in order to manage disruption.
This has included:
n Coordinating mutual aid to ensure patients needing time-sensitive care can receive it, including having operations at other hospitals;
n Working with Synnovis and trusts to find ways to increase the number of tests that can be reported per day;
n Working with other pathology services to reroute blood tests from GP surgeries. This is currently in place for practices in Lambeth and Southwark, and will be rolled out to other boroughs as soon as possible; and
n Working with NHS Blood and Transplant to provide extra stocks of ‘universal’ blood types.
The data for the first week after the attack (3-9 June) show that, across the two most affected trusts – King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust – more than 800 planned operations and 700 outpatient appointments needed to be rearranged. The majority of planned activity has continued to go ahead, with some specialities impacted more than others. Synnovis is focused on the technical
recovery of the system, with plans in place to restore functionality in its IT system. Full technical restoration will take some time, however, and the need to re-book tests and appointments will mean some disruption from the cyber incident will continue to be felt over coming months. In its own update Synnovis has said: “Synnovis is firmly focused on restoring services to our patients and users and working closely with NHSE and external specialists on technical recovery. We are delivering against a comprehensive plan which prioritises both clinical criticality and the safe and secure restoration of services.”
EDITOR’S COMMENT A long time in politics…
They say a week is a long time in politics, but how long is eight weeks in the NHS? That’s how long the new Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting has allocated for an independent review of the National Health Service, which he wants to be ‘raw and honest’. In charge of making the diagnosis will be independent peer and former health minister Professor Lord Darzi, who will be submitting a report during September, ready for the new government to draw up its treatment plan. Such a reset will certainly
result in significant change; but how much and how quickly remains to be seen, especially as new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been vocal about the budgetary challenges faced by his new administration. There’s also the small matter of continuing doctors strikes and further pay demands / expectations from workers in the wider public sector. A recent National Audit Office
report looking at NHS finances says that the service is “working at the limits of a system which might break” and that recent increases in spending have not been matched by increases in productivity. Despite efforts across the country to reduce spending, the NHS is looking at a deficit of £2.2 billion in the current financial year.
Certainly, biomedical scientists and diagnostics more generally could have a role to play, with bodies including (but certainly not limited to) the IBMS and BIVDA advocating for more opportunities in their respective areas. When it is published Lord Darzi’s report will make for interesting reading, with the after-effects set to be far reaching. The question is how much change can be effected with what is likely to be a limited budget. To move onto a more positive note, with diagnostics and point-of-care testing in mind I’d like to draw your attention to a forthcoming date. ‘Clinical Diagnostics Expo’ is the latest in the POCT Innovators series of events, taking place on 16 September in central London. As previously the event is free to attend for those working in the NHS and academia; but this event will have a new format – turn to our preview on page 20 to learn more – and it will be supported by a special POCT supplement, which will be included with the next issue of Pathology in Practice. We’ve featured these events previously and I’m pleased to be working with organiser Thornhill Healthcare Events to support what will be a notable addition to its useful and innovative series of events.
andymyall@pathologyinpractice.com
Investigation ordered into state of NHS
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting has ordered a full and independent investigation into the state of the NHS, to uncover the extent of the issues facing the nation’s health service. Mr Streeting (pictured) says he wants a ‘raw and honest’ assessment that will deliver ‘the hard truths’. Professor Lord Darzi OM KBE, a lifelong
surgeon and innovator, independent peer and former health minister has been appointed to lead the rapid assessment, which will be delivered in September. Its findings will provide the basis for the government’s 10-year plan to radically reform the NHS and build a health service that is fit for the future. Mr Streeting said: “Anyone who works in or uses the NHS can see it is broken.
WWW.PATHOLOGYINPRACTICE.COM AUGUST 2024
This government will be honest about the challenges facing the health service, and serious about tackling them. This investigation will uncover hard truths and I’ve asked for nothing to be held back. I trust Lord Darzi will leave no stone unturned and have told him to speak truth to power. I want a raw and frank assessment
of the state of the NHS.” Mr Streeting also set out his wider commitment to support the government’s growth mission by improving the health of the nation. The aims are based on three key steps – cutting waiting times to get people back to work, making the UK a life sciences and medical technology superpower, and creating training and job opportunities through the NHS to deliver growth up and down the country.
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Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
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