Synnovis, the company that supplies lab services to major London hospitals, has rebuilt substantial parts of its systems following the ransomware cyberattack on Monday 3 June.
Specifically, more of its hospital-based services, such as core chemistry and haematology services, including coagulation studies, are either now restored or planned to be restored over the coming week.
This will mean that significantly more test orders and results can be received electronically.
However, the new systems are still being tested and capacity will improve gradually as systems are rolled out at each site.
Blood transfusion services will continue to be stabilised over the summer, with full restoration anticipated by early Autumn
Blood transfusion services will continue to be stabilised over the summer, with full restoration anticipated by early Autumn.
This means that, while the progress on routine blood tests is welcome, mutual aid (where health services help each other by taking patients) will continue to be required for planned operations and transplants to minimise the ongoing impact on patients.
Previously announced mutual aid arrangements remain in place for primary care.
Dr Chris Streather, Medical Director for NHS London, said: “Synnovis has now rebuilt substantial parts of its IT infrastructure, which is very welcome progress. It will take further time for this to roll out but we will soon start to see faster turnaround times for most routine blood tests.”
More of its hospital-based services, such as core chemistry and haematology services, including coagulation studies, are either now restored or planned to be restored over the coming week
“I want to thank all staff who continue to work tirelessly in difficult circumstances to make sure our patients receive the care they need. We are not expecting blood transfusion services to be restored until autumn, meaning that there will be a continued impact on planned operations and a need for hospitals to help each other by taking patients where needed,” Streather continued.
“Despite the challenges, most services are now working at near-normal levels, including in outpatients, day cases and non-elective care. This means it’s important that patients with booked appointments continue to attend unless they have been contacted to say otherwise,” Streather added.
“We also urge people in London to support the ongoing call for O group blood donors to come forward and help boost stocks to help people needing treatment,” Streather concluded.