A significant cyberattack has struck Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH), disrupting critical healthcare services across three major facilities: Arrowe Park, Clatterbridge, and Wirral Women and Children’s Hospital. The attack has impacted the 855-bed healthcare network, forcing a complete shutdown of IT systems.

The incident has severely affected hospital operations, compelling staff to revert to paper-based systems. Emergency care, surgical procedures, and diagnostic services have been particularly impacted, with many scheduled appointments postponed. Patients are experiencing extended waiting times for emergency treatment, while medical staff cannot access electronic health records or test results.

While WUTH continues to provide emergency services, they are operating under significant constraints. Hospital authorities have urged the public to seek emergency care only for genuine cases. The extent of system damage is reported to be substantial, though no ransomware group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The timeline for system restoration remains uncertain as investigations continue. This incident underscores the vulnerability of healthcare systems to cyber threats and their potential impact on patient care. WUTH maintains essential services through manual processes while working to restore normal operations.