Statement Regarding Recent Synnovis Cyberattack and Impact on Primary Care Services *Updated 05/08/24*

On Monday 3 June Synnovis, a pathology partnership between SYNLAB, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospitals NHS Trust, was the victim of a ransomware cyber-attack. Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust remain in a critical incident, while Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, Bromley Healthcare, and primary care services in Southeast London continue to be affected.

There is an ongoing investigation into the full extent and impact of this incident. Testing is being prioritised to ensure the most critically ill patients are supported. Emergency care continues to be available, so patients should access services in the normal way by dialling 999 in an emergency and otherwise using 111, and patients should continue to attend appointments unless they are told otherwise.

We apologise for the inconvenience this is causing to patients and their families. The majority of routine pathology tests in primary care in southeast London have been paused to ensure that the most critical tests can be done. Whilst some routine testing has resumed from 5th August, priority is being given to those more clinically urgent, or those whose tests were raised in June. The Bromley GP Alliance are contacting patients who are eligible for non-urgent testing directly, to offer a routine appointment.

Synnovis has informed us that a significant number of tests undertaken since 3 June have been cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience and uncertainty caused by this.

Patients MUST check their own results by reviewing via the NHS app or contacting reception directly. Due to the large volume of investigations being returned untested, this includes some urgent testing, we cannot commit to contacting patients who have been affected and therefore must rely on patients proactively checking their own results.

If you have not received the results of testing undertaken on, around or after 3 June 24 we would ask that you contact the Practice directly so that we can review and arrange any necessary repeat tests.

You can review the latest information regarding the cyber-attack here.

Please help us spread this important message to all those patients who may have been affected by sharing this with family, friends or neighbours who may not have access to online services.

On behalf of Knoll Medical Practice Senior Leadership Team