Tallaght University Hospital: Services impacted on by health service cyber attack
By Mary Dennehy
Tallaght University Hospital has issued an update on its services following the cyber attack on the healthcare IT system last Friday, May 14.
In an update this afternoon, Tuesday, May 18, Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) said that its Emergency Department (ED) for the adult service remains open.
Tallaght University Hospital (TUH)
However, there will be delays as the hospital is now using manual, back-up systems.
“We are appealing to members of the public to attend the ED only in the case of an emergency”, the hospital said.
“Patients will be assessed and treated based on clinical priority.
“If patients need to attend the ED it would be extremely helpful to bring in any recent correspondence from the Hospital with your MRN number on it, also a list of the current medications you are taking.”
Patients attending for scheduled care (outpatient clinics, elective surgery, dialysis, haematology and oncology) are advised to attend as scheduled – unless contacted directly by the hospital and advised otherwise.
All radiology appointments are cancelled until further notice.
According to TUH, this will remain the case until the national system is back up-and-running.
Any appointments postponed will be rescheduled as quickly as possible.
Commenting on the challenges presented, TUH Chief Executive Lucy Nugent said: “The cyber attack has impacted on how we run the hospital.
“Without the systems we normally use things are slower and regretfully delays are inevitable.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused to patients and to the public, please be patient with the staff who are working under incredibly challenging conditions.”
Ms Nugent added: “Since this happened last Friday the hospital is working under our contingency plan.
“Patients attending our services over the next few days and possible weeks can expect delays until such time as patient information, diagnostic reporting and other affected IT systems are secure and operational.
“We apologise to our patients for delays or disruption in service while we work our way through this challenge to our hospital and the wider healthcare system.
“We will maintain essential services with patient safety our priority.”
A spokesperson for the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group, which includes TUH, also encouraged members of the public to consider their care options and only attend ED if urgent.
The spokesperson said: “Our priority is keeping our patients safe and maintaining essential care and support services.
“The shutdown of our systems is having an impact on some health services and this disruption is very likely to go well into this week.
“Hospitals are working very hard to continue with appointments scheduled this week.
“However, there is some service disruption expected.”
For further information follow the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group on Twitter HERE or HSE Live on Twitter HERE.
Alternatively, visit the NEWS section on the TUH website.
Information on the services at the Children’s Hospital at Tallaght HERE.
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