NHS urges people to donate blood after devastating cyberattack

The National Health Service (NHS) has urged nearly one million people in the UK to donate blood after a devastating cyberattack on London hospitals last summer created a severe blood shortage. According to an NHS Blood and Transplant analysis, current stocks are short by 200,000 donors. The cyberattack hit London hospitals in July 2024, knocking out Synnovis’ networks, an NHS lab partner for pathology services. This paralyzed blood stock operations and forced the postponement of procedures and operations relying heavily on pathology services. The attack was later linked to the Russian-based Oilin ransomware group and was declared a “critical incident” by the NHS.
After the attack, blood stocks have remained low, and there is now an urgent need to avoid a Red Alert, which would mean demand far exceeding capacity with heavy repercussions for public safety. The NHS is especially looking for more 0-negative and Ro donors and has invited people with such blood types to come forward and donate blood.