Computer virus takes down Barts and the London

A computer virus has infected Barts and The London NHS Trust, shutting down the computer system that runs its three hospitals for more than 24-hours.

The network went down on Monday lunchtime, taking out internet and email and other applications.

A trust spokesperson told E-Health Insider: "The virus attacked yesterday afternoon, and the IT department put in place procedures to tackle the outbreak, which they thought they had under control.  But when staff logged on this morning, they found the virus was much more widespread than thought, so they then closed all but essential areas of the network and declared a major incident.”

The spokesperson added that systems are starting to come back up on a priority basis. "We should be back up in a day or so."

He also said the Cerner Millennium Care Record System was not affected and the trust's "well rehearsed" emergency procedures had been activated.

"Manual backup systems are in use, and we are in the process of restoring the computer systems, with priority being given to the most important areas for maintaining patients services," the spokesperson said.

“We have maintained a safe environment for our patients throughout the incident.”

Operating theatres and outpatient departments have remained operational, although some non essential activities have been scaled back. A&E remains open to walk in patients and ambulances are being diverted to neighbouring hospitals in the short term.

The trust said patient transport services “are likely to be disrupted by difficulties with computer systems."