BREAKING: NHS Highland declares a ‘critical incident’ related to ‘digital systems’ but despite ‘patient care is continuing safely across all our hospitals and services’
NHS Highland has declared a “critical incident” related to its “digital systems” but it has reassured the public that “patient care is continuing safely across all our hospitals and services’”.
The news broke this morning when sources began warning of cancelled meetings, including a joint meeting with Highland Council but there is no word yet on what specifically caused the problem.
One frontline worker told us the situation has been ongoing since last night and it is slowing things down as there is no online access to stock/drugs ordering and clinicians have to call-in for test results that would normally be available online.
Another insider believes the situation may develop throughout the day while advising this was the reason that today’s Highland Council/NHS Highland Joint Monitoring Committee was cancelled.
But the health board was quick to reassure the public saying that “patient care is continuing safely across all our hospitals and services, supported by well-tested Continuity Plans”.
The statement adds that if patients have an appointment then they should attend as normal noting that if any further updates need to be provided they will be.
An NHS Highland spokesman said: “NHS Highland has declared a Critical Incident to help us manage the ongoing network fault that is affecting access to some of our digital systems.
“Patient care is continuing safely across all our hospitals and services, supported by well-tested Continuity Plans.
“Declaring a Critical Incident allows us to coordinate our response across the organisation and bring in any additional support if needed.
“While we are working hard with national partners and technical experts to resolve the issue, some services may run a little differently or more slowly than usual. Our teams are adapting well, and doing everything they can to minimise disruption.
“Patients should continue to attend appointments as planned unless contacted directly by their care team.
“We would like to thank our staff, patients and the wider public for their understanding and support while this is resolved.
“We will provide further updates as needed.”
