Have you been affected by the recent NHS (Synnovis) data breach? If so, lawyers believe you are entitled to justice and compensation. This breach has caused significant disruptions, including the cancellation of over 3,000 consultations or operations, and has put sensitive patient information at risk.

Understanding the impact of the Synnovis NHS data breach

On 3 June 2024, Synnovis experienced a ransomware cyberattack that compromised many of its IT systems. This attack, allegedly carried out by the Russian criminal group Qilin, led to the exposure of 400GB of personal data, including patient names, dates of birth, NHS numbers, and descriptions of blood tests. The breach has had a profound impact on multiple London Trusts, including Guy’s and St Thomas’ and King’s College Hospital.

The consequences of this breach are severe and include:

Disruption of medical services

The immediate impact of the cyberattack was the severe disruption of medical services. Over 3,000 consultations and operations were cancelled, affecting thousands of patients, many of whom were awaiting critical and time-sensitive treatments. This includes cancer patients in urgent need of medical care. The abrupt halt in services has caused significant medical issues for some, compounding the existing challenges of dealing with their health problems.

Emotional and psychological impact

For many, especially those with urgent medical needs, the emotional distress caused by the cancellation of critical procedures could be overwhelming. The uncertainty and delays in receiving essential medical care could heighten emotional and psychological stress. Patients who had critical surgeries or treatments scheduled are now left in limbo, unsure of when their medical needs will be addressed. Lawyers believe that his breach has affected not only their physical health, but also their mental well-being, as the prolonged wait and fear of compromised health weigh heavily on them.

Risk of fraud and identity theft

Beyond the disruption of medical services, the exposed personal data has left affected patients vulnerable to fraud, scams, and identity theft. With highly sensitive information now in the hands of criminals, there is a significant risk that they could use it for malicious purposes. Patients must now be vigilant about potential fraudulent activities and identity theft attempts, adding another layer of stress and concern.

The ramifications of this data breach are expected to be long-lasting. Restoring the affected IT systems and rescheduling medical procedures could take several months, prolonging the uncertainty and disruption for patients. Data protection lawyers are pursuing legal action against the NHS for failing to protect patients’ sensitive information, seeking justice and compensation for those affected. This legal action aims to hold the NHS accountable and provide some relief to victims.

What can you do about the data breach?

By joining a group action legal claim, you can seek compensation for the distress and potential harm caused by this breach.

If you’re wondering whether you qualify for a no-win, no-fee NHS compensation claim, our simple eligibility checker provides an instant answer. It takes just a few minutes and there’s no obligation to proceed with a claim.

If you have a potential claim, register your interest to stay updated on the case and be connected with a UK law firm handling the group action.