By Jed Lanyon and Taylah Eastwell
Public healthcare service Eastern Health continues to feel the impacts of a suspected cyber attack that occurred on Tuesday 16 March.
Eastern Health took many of their health IT systems offline last week as a precaution as they seek to understand and clarify the situation.
The health service operates across the eastern region including sites such as Healesville Hospital, Angliss Hospital, Box Hill Hospital, Healesville Hospital and Yarra Valley Health in Healesville, Maroondah Hospital, Yarra Ranges Health in Lilydale and more.
“Eastern Health continues to manage the impacts of a significant cyber incident experienced last week,” a spokesperson said.
“While a number of our systems remain offline, our Business Continuity Plans have been enacted and we continue to make inroads to our planned recovery.
“Thank you to our staff, patients and visitors for their understanding at this time.”
As at Monday 22 March, communications to Eastern Health were still impacted with email services down.
An Eastern Health spokesperson said that patient safety had not been compromised.
“Category 1 Elective Surgery will continue as planned. However, the incident has impacted our ability to undertake less urgent (Category 2 and 3 Elective Procedures) which will be postponed to a later date.
Knoxfield resident Ray Peace, who has been waiting for surgery since December, said the delays have increased his nerves around surgery.
“It does cause stress because psychologically you get prepared for it and last minute they pulled the plug when your almost ready, and you have to start preparing all over again,” he said.
Eastern Health apologised for the inconvenience the incident may cause.
“We thank our staff, patients and their families for patience during this situation and we will keep them informed,” a spokesperson said.
The health service’s contact centre was inundated with calls throughout the week, further impacting their communications.
“Check our website for information and if the situation is an emergency, please call 000,” the spokesperson said.
“Eastern Health ensures all patient information continues to be handled with the necessary care, confidentiality and due diligence.”
Eastern Health continues to accept patients at their emergency departments.
“Any delays experienced with our contact centre have been rectified and we encourage patients patients and the community to utilise this service if they have any queries.”
Covid-19 vaccinations for prioritised staff will continue across their sites as a second staff clinic at Maroondah Hospital is set to open today and another at the Angliss Hospital, on track to begin later in the week.
