Wirral University Teaching Hospital has declared a major incident “for cybersecurity reasons” that is expected to impact operations at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral. The hospital has urged the public to only visit the emergency department if they have a “genuine emergency” as the ongoing incident is likely to cause delays in patient care.
In a statement posted on their website, a spokesperson for the hospital said, “The Trust business continuity processes are in place, and our focus remains on maintaining patient safety.” However, they warned that the issue would likely lead to longer waits in the emergency department and other assessment areas.
The hospital is advising people with non-emergency medical needs to seek alternative care, such as visiting NHS 111, a walk-in centre, urgent treatment centre, GP, or pharmacist, rather than attending the hospital in person.
Merseyside Police have confirmed that they are not investigating the cybersecurity incident at this time. The hospital continues to focus on addressing the issue while ensuring patient safety during this challenging period.