INVESTIGATIONS are still going on within NHS Dumfries and Galloway to ascertain exactly how much information was stolen by hackers.
And officials say they ‘can’t rule out that more information will be leaked in the future’.
Although bosses this week told DNG Media they couldn’t answer many of our questions due to it being an ongoing criminal investigation, they did supply some more general answers on the situation, which is now in its second week.
They confirmed that contact is still being made with those affected.
In addition, ‘careful checks’ have been made of their systems and they are ‘confident’ that patient records have not been changed or maliciously tampered with.
Officials have also stressed that NHS Dumfries and Galloway still holds all the original files and they have not been altered or deleted, but some information has been copied and leaked.
It’s acknowledged that ‘it is possible’ that this stolen data could be used in an attack and health chiefs are advising everyone to be cautious regarding their own online activity.
Meanwhile, assurances have been given that consultations, tests, referrals, scheduled treatments, and other appointments continue to happen as normal.
But, anyone who receives an unexpected or suspicious email or a communication by other means that claims to come from the NHS, should double-check that it’s legitimate by contacting the organisation or department directly.
