Irish health service hit by cyber attack

Ireland’s health service has temporarily shut down its IT system after what it described as a “significant ransomware attack”.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) said it had taken the precaution of closing down its systems to further protect them and assess the situation.

Ireland’s health minister, Stephen Donnelly, said the incident was having “a severe impact on [the] health and social care services”.

Emergency services continued, he said.

Dublin’s Rotunda Hospital has cancelled outpatients visits, due to a “critical emergency”, unless women are 36 weeks pregnant or later.All gynaecology clinics are cancelled.

The maternity hospital said those with any urgent concerns should attend.