NHS alert over shortage of type-O blood following hospital cyber attack

A blood drive has been launched in the UK for major hospitals affected by a ransomeware attack from Russian cybercriminals. The cyber attack hindered the ability of hospitals such as King’s, the Royal Brompton, Guys’, St Thomas’, and Evelina Children’s hospitals to cross-check patients’ blood types for transfusions. This led to the cancellation of more than 200 emergency operations. The UK is also presently faced with a shortage in type-O blood. The NHS Blood and Transplant is calling for more units of blood to ensure patient safety.