Update from BHRUT
NHS cyber attack – Pathlinks now online
As you will be aware, the Pathlinks system was unavailable this week due to the impact of the NHS cyber attack on BHRUT.
The Trust has confirmed Pathlinks is now up and running, and it is business as usual.
Trust staff have worked to clear the backlog of around 14,000 results. All results are now in the system for GPs and practices to see.
The Trust recognises the impact on GPs and practice managers of processing with the backlog of results and apologises for any inconvenience from an incident that was beyond their control.
The CCGs will be working with BHRUT and Barts Health to undertake a full debrief once the cyber attack incident is closed. We will look at the impacts of primary care of the issues affecting BHRUT and Barts Health, and what lessons can be learned for the future.
Update from Barts Health
Barts Health continues to experience IT disruption which is affecting all of its sites and services. The Trust is working around the clock to resolve the issues and values the support of all GPs in helping prioritise patient care. For details, please read the update for GPs on the Barts Health website.
Detailed briefing from BHRUT
Pathlinks system
Processes and continuity
Cancer two week wait
The current situation has affected Barts Health's ability to receive and review electronic two week wait referrals. The majority of two week wait clinics have continued throughout this time and the majority of clinics are fully booked until 26/5/17. Barts Health has established a process for receiving two week wait referrals to ensure care remains safe and consistent. Please see the website for details
It's crucial that information sent as part of the two week wait referral is clear and well documented. Please can you also give a copy of the referral to the patient as they will need to bring this with them to their appointment.
A dedicated telephone number has been set up for two week wait patients to ring following their initial appointment to ensure we provide a contact point for patients. This number is 07710066155.
Maternity
Barts NHS Health Trust have a mitigation plan in place during the current IT disruption. Midwives are manually processing records of births and liaising with the Child Health Team. Barts have also spoken to registry offices regarding a temporary paper based system. GPs are advised to not use the electronic referral system for new pregnant women until they are notified that it is back up and running.
Pathology
Pathology remains affected so please do not send any samples to Barts Health pathology.
Community phlebotomy
Community phlebotomy services are closed in Waltham Forest and Redbridge until further notice. The Whipps Cross phlebotomy service is only able to process urgent cases to ensure the Trust's labs are able to prioritise clinically urgent patients within the hospitals.
Please read more on their website. This also includes answers to frequently asked questions.
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