Respond to a disaster
When a cyberattack disrupts hospital care
What to check if a hospital cyber incident affects appointments, tests or prescriptions.
At homeOut and about
In an emergency, contact local emergency services and follow official instructions.
First, check this
Check the hospital's official updates and contact it using a number you already know. If you need urgent care, use local emergency services or the urgent-care route available where you live. [1]
During an interruption
- Follow the hospital's current instructions about appointments and tests. If you are unsure, contact the hospital directly; do not assume your appointment has been cancelled. [1]
- Ask the healthcare provider or pharmacy how to obtain a prescription if their usual service is unavailable. Discuss any changes to your treatment with a healthcare professional.
Prepare ahead
- Keep your hospital and pharmacy contact details, appointment information and prescription details on paper as well as on your phone. Discuss a backup plan for medication and medical equipment with your healthcare provider.
- Be cautious with messages about appointments or medical records. Look up the provider's official contact details independently rather than using the message's links or phone numbers. [9]
An example
- In June 2024, a ransomware attack on Synnovis disrupted testing and appointments in south-east London. NHS England advised patients to attend unless contacted and seek urgent care as usual; this was advice for that incident, not a guarantee for every outage. [1]
Related topics
Source
Research reviewed: 7 November 2026
Sources may be in Korean or English. Always follow current local guidance.