Cybersecurity

Hospitals will be graded as failing unless they improve cyber security from hackers under new Government rules as trusts are given £71 million to update their IT systems

Hospitals could be rated ‘inadequate’ if they fail to ensure IT systems are protected against cyber-attacks.

Under new rules from the Government, the Care Quality Commission will check computer systems during routine inspections of hospitals.

If they have failed to update the IT’s security, it will be deemed as important as not having enough staff or call beings being out of reach.

The measures have been introduced to avoid a repeat of the cyber-attack in May which crippled 47 NHS trusts and led to the cancellation of thousands of operations.