Cyber-attack – Press Release

Consultant Connect offers service for free to help NHS Trusts affected by cyber-attack 

OXFORD, 15 May 2017 – The CEO of Consultant Connect, a telephone advice and guidance service covering 10 million patients in England, has said that the company will provide the service free of charge to any NHS Trusts continuing to be affected by the NHS cyber-attack. The technology allows GPs to reach specialist local consultants via a dedicated phone line or app and has been unaffected by the recent attack.

“We understand that NHS Trusts across the country will today be evaluating what impact the cyber-attack has had on their systems and their ability to care for patients. During this period, we would like to offer our technology free of charge to any NHS Trust struggling to deal with patient demand as a result of the attack. The Consultant Connect service will allow GPs to reach specialist consultants without having to go through any NHS system which may have been affected by the attack. This will help GPs to deliver the right care to patients in the surgery and can avoid having to send them to hospital,” comments Jonathan Patrick, CEO of Consultant Connect.

Consultant Connect is currently used by 1,200 GP surgeries across England. The service significantly reduces unnecessary hospital referrals by connecting GPs immediately with local specialists. In doing so it improves patient care and drives down costs in local healthcare.

ENDS