The SWRHA is challenging a report that a ransom demand was made by hackers after a cyber-attack last month.

A newspaper article claimed that US$7 million is bitcoin cryptocurrency was demanded following the incident on October 23rd 2023.

However in a statement issued yesterday, the SWRHA insists no such demand for payment was received, nor was there any negotiation for data retrieval.

It says even as the attack compromised its ability to access real time data, there was sufficient data retrieval via back up manual sources that allowed critical patient and employee services to continue.

It adds that it is working with “external partner agencies” to identify the true hacker, and to regain and restore full operations to its automated system by November 20th 2023.