NHS Cyber Attack: Patient Death & Impact
- A patient's death is connected to a ransomware attack that crippled the National health Service (NHS) last year.
- The June attack targeted Synnovis, a company processing blood tests for several NHS organizations.
- The patient's death,first reported by the Health Service Journal,resulted partly from delays in receiving blood test results.
A ransomware attack on the NHS resulted in a patient’s death, sparking urgent scrutiny of NHS cyber security practices. This breach, disrupting London hospitals and impacting vital services, now sees investigations into patient harm and data breaches. The cyber attack, linked to a Russian-speaking group, compromised sensitive patient data, raising notable concerns about the health service’s reliance on private providers. Delays in blood test results are partially to blame for the death,triggering calls for an self-reliant review.the healthcare industry’s vulnerability to cyber crime is highlighted in this developing story from News Directory 3. Ongoing investigations will determine changes in NHS cyber security protocols and increased investment in protecting patient data. Discover what’s next …
NHS Patient Death Linked to Ransomware Attack; cyber Security Under Scrutiny
Updated June 25, 2025
A patient’s death is connected to a ransomware attack that crippled the National health Service (NHS) last year. The cyber attack disrupted thousands of appointments adn procedures across major London hospitals, raising serious concerns about NHS cyber security and the increasing reliance on private service providers.
The June attack targeted Synnovis, a company processing blood tests for several NHS organizations. Qilin, a Russian-speaking cyber crime group, claimed duty, releasing 400GB of stolen data. King’s College Hospital and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust pathology departments faced significant disruptions.
The patient’s death,first reported by the Health Service Journal,resulted partly from delays in receiving blood test results. The South East London Integrated care Board previously identified 170 cases of patient harm related to the attack, classifying most as “low harm.” Law enforcement continues to investigate the cyber attack.
King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust confirmed the death in a statement Wednesday. A spokesperson said a patient safety investigation found that a delayed blood test result, stemming from the cyber attack’s impact on pathology services, contributed to the unexpected death.
The healthcare industry’s vulnerability to cyber crime is growing, fueling calls for an independent expert review of NHS security risks.
“This tragic death is the tip of the iceberg… It is indeed absolutely urgent that we now have an independent inquiry into NHS cyber security and patient safety,” said Dr. Saif Abed, a former NHS doctor and cyber security expert.
Abed believes more unreported deaths have occurred due to data breaches. Synnovis and NHS England have not yet commented.
What’s next
The ongoing investigation and calls for an independent review could lead to significant changes in NHS cyber security protocols and increased investment in protecting patient data.