NHS Dumfries and Galloway has announced it has been the target of a “focused and ongoing cyber attack”.
The health board said it is working with Police Scotland, the National Cyber Security Centre and the Scottish government to tackle the breach on its systems.
It has warned hackers could have been able to “acquire a significant quantity of data” and has advised there may be some disruption to services as a result of the incident.
Cyber security agencies are currently working to establish what data may have been accessed, but the health board said it has reason to believe it could include “patient-identifiable and staff-identifiable data”.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway said in a statement: “Breach of confidential data is an incredibly serious matter.
“We are encouraging everyone, staff and public, to be on their guard for any attempt to access their systems or approaches from anyone claiming to be in possession of data relating to them.
“In any of these situations, contact Police Scotland immediately by phoning 101.”
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The health board has set up a dedicated webpage in regards to the attack.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Enquiries are continuing into a cyber attack on NHS Dumfries and Galloway.”
Health secretary Neil Gray said the Scottish government is offering support to the board.
He said: “There are well established procedures for dealing with a situation of this kind.
“We are providing assistance and support to NHS Dumfries and Galloway as they handle this incident, and NHS NSS (National Services Scotland) is engaging with the rest of NHS Scotland and providing updates as necessary.”
