Thirteen Scottish health boards have been hit by a global cyber attack that affected NHS computer systems.

The boards affected by the ransomwear attack are NHS Borders, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, NHS Fife, NHS Forth Valley, NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Tayside, NHS Western Isles, NHS Highlands, NHS Grampian, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, NHS National Services and the Scottish Ambulance Service

The Scottish Government said there was no evidence patient data had been compromised following the attack and there have been no further reported problems.

Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “This has been a global cyber-attack which has impacted on countries across the world and clearly any incident of this nature is hugely concerning, but it’s important to stress that there is no evidence to suggest patient data has been compromised.

“This week’s incident emphasises the importance for all of us, the public and private sectors as well as the general public, to have the appropriate measures in place to protect against these kinds of attack.

“We have taken all necessary steps to ensure the cause and nature of this attack is identified and have managed to isolate the issues within the NHS in Scotland. Boards are currently working on protecting and restoring those systems where possible, with a view to getting most operational by Monday.”

In many areas, with the exception of NHS Lanarkshire, the number of PCs or systems affected is said to be in single figures.

How ransomware infects a computer
(PA graphic)

The Scottish Government said other public bodies are running checks on their systems as a precaution ahead of the start of the working week.

The First Minister and Ms Robison have been updated on the situation and Justice Secretary Michael Matheson has participated in the UK Government COBR meeting chaired by the Home Secretary this afternoon.

Ms Robison said: “The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is leading the response to these attacks and we continue to receive updates on the situation and their efforts to rectify the issues faced. We are working closely with them and are being guided by their expert knowledge in this field.

“Again, our priority is ensuring boards get all the support they need and get systems back normal as soon as possible, so there is as little impact on patient care as possible”.