This cyber-attack is terrible news and a real worry for patients – Jonathan Ashworth

Jonathan
Ashworth, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, commenting on reports that NHS
England has been hit by a cyber-attack, said:

“This cyber-attack
is terrible news and a real worry for patients. Our hard-working NHS staff are
already operating under unprecedented pressure and should be given every
support to help the public in the face of these malicious and disturbing
actions.

“This
incident highlights the risk to data security within the modern health service
and reinforces the need for cyber security to be at the heart of government
planning. The digital revolution has transformed the way we live and work but
we have to be ready for the vulnerabilities it brings too.  

“The Government
need to be clear about what’s happened, and what measures they are taking to
reduce the threat to patients. The safety of the public must be the priority and
the NHS should be given every resource to bring the situation under control as
soon as possible.“