British Hospitals Grapple with Blood Supply Shortage Amid Cyber Attack

British hospitals are experiencing a severe shortage of blood supplies due to a ransomware attack on Synnovis, a provider of testing services. The cyber attack has disrupted blood donation appointments, exacerbated by high summer demand and challenges in finding donors. NHS has issued an 'amber alert,' urgently requesting more O group blood donors.

British hospitals are grappling with a severe shortage of blood supplies, which has been exacerbated by an ongoing cyber attack, health authorities announced on Thursday. The ransomware attack on Synnovis, a provider of testing services, has disrupted operations within large London hospitals run by the NHS.

Thousands of blood donation appointments have been canceled due to the cyber attack. Combined with the high summer demand and the difficulties in securing donors during this season, the NHS described the scenario as a 'perfect storm.' The situation has pushed blood stocks to unprecedentedly low levels.

The NHS has urgently appealed for more O group donors, especially those with O negative blood, due to its critical necessity in emergencies. An 'amber alert' has been issued, advising hospitals to restrict the use of O type blood to essential cases. Hospitals have seen a nearly doubled requirement for O negative blood since the cyber incident.

(With inputs from agencies.)