'Major incident' declared at Merseyside hospital after cyber security issue

ITV Granada Reports journalist Lauren Ostridge has the latest on the cyber security incident

A major incident declared at one of the region's busiest hospitals for "cyber security reasons" will continue into a third day.Patients have been asked to only attend the emergency department at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral if they had a genuine emergency following the incident on Monday 25 November.

Some out patient appointments on Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 November have also been cancelled as a result - with the trust citing "patient safety" as its top priority.

A Wirral University Teaching Hospital spokesperson said: “A major incident was declared at the Trust yesterday for cyber security reasons and the incident remains ongoing.

“We are working to rectify the issue and our business continuity processes are in place. Our priority remains ensuring patient safety.

"Some outpatient appointments scheduled today and tomorrow are cancelled. Where appointments have been cancelled, we have contacted patients directly. We apologise for any inconvenience and we will contact our patients as soon as possible to rearrange.

“Maternity services are running as normal. All antenatal appointments, community midwife appointments, scans and post-natal visits are continuing as usual.

"Please still attend maternity appointments unless contacted otherwise. The 24 hour emergency triage service is running as normal.

“We urge all members of the public to attend the Emergency Department only for genuine emergencies. For non-urgent health concerns, please use NHS 111, visit a walk-in centre, urgent treatment centre, your GP, or pharmacist.”

Arrowe Park Hospital is a large, acute hospital, located on a 15-acre section of Arrowe Park, close to the village of Upton, Wirral.