Computer Virus Hits London Hospitals
By Christopher Nickson
November 20, 2008
Three London hospitals have been forced to shut down their computer systems for at least a day after being hit by a virus.
The computer system at three London hospitals – St. Bartholomew’s, the Royal London Hospital and the London Chest Hospital – have had to shut down their computer systems for at least 24 hours after they were infected by a virus.
The hospitals have remained open and functional for operations and to see patients with appointments, the BBC reports, but emergencies have been diverted to other facilities and there have been disruptions for those needing hospital transport.
Patients who walk in to emergency rooms are being processed manually and a spokesman said back-up procedures were in place.
According to the spokesman, the virus was “self-contained” and was “not malicious.”