Conservative Party (UK) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Daily Mail reports that NHS staff have claimed pop-up messages are appearing on screens saying the PC is ‘under control’ and they must pay a ransom to stop all the files being deleted.

NHS cyber attack: Computer systems and phones down | Daily Mail Online

Read the Mail article carefully and you will see an omni-shambles. Most disgraceful is Theresa May, saying that the attack is not unique to the NHS. In a similar attack last year in Los Angeles, ransom was paid over with the advice of the FBI but in the UK hospital trusts are being advised not to pay up. Instead of chairing a COBRA meeting, the UK prime minister is trying to deflect political flack ahead of the general election.

Across the country, hospitals have been severely compromised and patients lives are at risk. From the Mail article, it is clear that hospitals have not been used the latest software – this is a serious failing.

As a result of the Conservative government’s extended austerity policies, the NHS has faced massive financial cuts. The Health Minister is deeply unpopular. In international benchmarking studies, the UK’s public healthcare continues to decline, especially in areas like cancer treatment. On the other hand, there is enormous waste in the NHS, with widespread use of expensive agency staff, former NHS managers re-engaged as consultants, and huge legal settlements for professional negligence.

Theresa May called a snap election election, hoping to increase the Conservative Party majority and give her more clout against right-wingers pushing for a hard-Brexit. Now attention will be focused on the NHS – the evidence is overwhelming for the public, the Conservatives policies for public healthcare are in meltdown. It’s not clear whether Theresa May’s campaign slogan of ‘trust me’ will backfire in her face? Conspiracy theorists will wonder about a possible cyber-attack from a foreign power?

Thoughts?