Question reference: S6W-26223
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 18 March 2024
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Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 27 March 2024
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that patient and staff data could have been compromised in the cyber attack on NHS Dumfries and Galloway, what support and advice has been offered to NHS boards and public bodies, including NHS (a) Lanarkshire and (b) Forth Valley.
Answer
All NHS Boards have been briefed on the current situation and the NHS Cyber Security Centre of Excellence will continue to support Boards to be alert and respond to potential threats.
This is in addition to the routine work that the Scottish Government undertakes to support Health Boards in their cyber security through ensuring compliance with the Network and Information System Regulations.
As set out in S6T-01869 on 19 March 2024, which is available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament , colleagues will appreciate that this incident is the subject of a live Police investigation. As a result I am limited in the detail I can share.
However, I want to assure the member that the Scottish Government continues to fully support NHS Dumfries and Galloway as they respond to the cyber-attack.
While I understand this news will have been alarming for both patients and staff, I can assure Parliament that the Board responded swiftly and in line with established protocol. I have personally spoken to the Chief Executive of Dumfries and Galloway and I am assured that my officials are fully supporting Dumfries and Galloway as part of a multi-agency approach.
In addition to this, I can confirm that other NHS Health Boards, at the Governments request, have been mobilised to provide technical support to Dumfries and Galloway.