QEH continues to experience a disruption of services

Executive Chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), Juliette Bynoe-Sutherland, has provided an update on the disruption of services due to a cyber security attack on its internet systems.

She notes in a press release that the QEH’s IT Department in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology (MIST), as well as private cyber security experts, continued their work of containing the threat and conducting a comprehensive department by department inventory and assessment of the computer systems. They are seeking to identify the source of the attack, so that the hospital is better positioned to mitigate similar occurrences.

Our efforts continue to focus on maintaining as much service continuity as best as we can in these circumstances. Last evening, Dr. Chaynie Williams, Director of Medical Services (Ag) met with a team of Medical Staff to update them on the incident. Alternative approaches to delivering medical services were agreed on for continuity of care. Key departments affected such as the Laboratory, Radiology, Pharmacy and Medical Records are doing their best to respond to the clinical needs and requests emanating from Operating Theatre, Wards, Units, Outpatient Clinics and Emergency Department. We sincerely appreciate the efforts and level of cooperation we have seen from all departments as they adapt to the situation.

Key notes for the public at this time:

• Persons who have appointments with the Radiology Department for CT scans, xrays and ultrasounds are not able to be facilitated due to this threat. The appointments will be rescheduled and the patients notified of their new dates. The department is working to reduce the wait-time for the rescheduled appointments.

• Pharmacy is working to ensure patients remain as covered as possible with their needed medication. The public will continue to be updated on this.

• Medical Records is working to devise a process to continue outpatient appointments. Persons may continue to present to submit their paperwork for appointments.

• The QEH Patient Liaison Service (Help Desk) will continue to respond to queries from the public. This service is manned by physicians, nurses and emergency medical technicians who are on-hand to provide any needed advice. The contact number is 536-4800 and the hours of operation are as follows: Monday – Friday: 7AM to 11PM, Saturday: 8AM to 10PM, Sunday: 8AM to 8PM.

Regrettably, we do not yet have a time-line from the IT experts on the duration of this incident, but we understand that they are moving as carefully and systematically as they can to respond to the threat posed. Please be assured that we will keep you updated as best possible as we do all we can in this unprecedented scenario.

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