An Australian healthcare provider has suffered a cyberattack affecting 21 clinics across the country, compromising personal medical records.
In a statement shared on Wednesday, Partnered Health said it became aware that “a malicious actor” had accessed its data on June 23.
The breach has affected personal information held by 21 general practices across Australia, including those in Ultimo, Castle Hill, Sans Souci, and Dural.
Additionally, Partnered Health clinics in Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, and the ACT were also impacted by the attack.
Data that may have been stolen includes consultation notes, referral letters, pathology or diagnostic results, and Medicare information.
Patients’ names, contact information, addresses, and private health insurance details may have also been compromised.
Partnered Health has reported the incident to the Australian Cyber Security Centre, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and police.
“Our investigations to date have confirmed that personal information (including health information) was taken from some of the clinics in our network,” a statement on its website reads.
“We are continuing to investigate the extent to which personal information has been impacted by this incident and are communicating with patients from impacted clinics.
“As a health services provider, we know our patients and our people trust us with personal and medical information, and we sincerely apologise for any concern and inconvenience this may cause them.”
The medical network is advising patients to be cautious of suspicious communications that may reference their personal medical records to seem more convincing.
Partnered Health has obtained an interim injunction from the Supreme Court of New South Wales ordering that the accessed data is not used or published.
The practices that have been impacted include:
Blackburn Road Medical Centre Broadway General Practice Bundall Medical Centre Cardiff Medical Centre & Skin Cancer Clinic Castle Hill Family Doctors Champion Drive Medical Centre Chancellor Park Family Medical Practice Dromana Family Doctors Dural Medical Centre Joondalup City Medical Group Kealba Family Practice Mornington Family Doctors Noosaville Seven Day Medical Centre North Canberra Family Practice Park Beach Family Practice Park Orchards Family Practice Rockingham City Family Practice Sans Souci Medical Practice Templestowe District Medical Centre Wentworth Avenue Family Practice Wyong Family Practice