UL Hospitals Group advise of ‘widespread cancellations’ due to impact of ransomware attack on HSE IT systems

UL Hospitals Group has this afternoon announced widespread cancellations as they continue to be adversely impacted by the ransomware attack on HSE IT systems. Among the cancellations from tomorrow are outpatient clinics and elective inpatient and day case procedures.
The statement reads, “We regret that from Tuesday, May 18, widespread cancellations in scheduled care will across our six sites. From Tuesday the following service disruptions are expected across the following hospitals University Hospital Limerick, University Maternity Hospital Limerick, Ennis Hospital, Nenagh Hospital, St John’s Hospital and Croom Orthopaedic Hospital.
“All outpatient clinics are cancelled. All elective inpatient and day case procedures are cancelled. This is with the exception of time-critical cases and these patients will be called directly in advance. All diagnostics including x-ray, CT scans, MRI appointments and cardiac investigations are cancelled. Endoscopy services are cancelled.”
Services that will go ahead include Maternity services including ante-natal clinic, dialysis treatment, Cancer day ward (chemotherapy and radiotherapy), Acute Fracture Unit (UHL) and vaccination centres at the Radisson Blu Hotel (Limerick), West County Hotel (Ennis) and Abbey Court Hotel (Nenagh)
The Emergency Department (ED) at UHL continues to operate 24-7 but is very busy. Members of the public are reminded to consider all care options (GP, GP out-of-hours, pharmacy, Injury Unit) and only attend the ED in an emergency.
Non urgent patients may experience significant delays. Injury Units are operating in Ennis Hospital and Nenagh Hospital and are open from 8am to 8pm and St John’s Hospital from 8am to 7pm. The Maternity Emergency Unit is available 24-7 and the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit continues to operate an appointment only service.
Patients are advised to pay attention to updates as we expect that services are likely to be further disrupted early next week.
Updates on service disruptions will be posted to the HSE Service Disruption Website https://www2.hse.ie/services/hospital-service-disruptions/hse-it-system-cyber-attack.html and on the following twitter accounts @ulhospitals and @hselive and patients are encouraged to check on these sites for the most up to date information.