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Dec 03, 2021

Media Release : Suspicious Email Activity at Headwaters Health Care Centre

Note: We would like to acknowledge that communications have been challenging during this period and we have needed to find creative ways to share information. Please help us by sharing this message broadly. 
 
ORANGEVILLE, ON: This is to provide an update on the Code Grey – Loss of Essential Services implemented on November 25, 2021 that remains ongoing. As required, an incident management structure (IMS) was established and will continue to be in place until the situation is resolved.

We have determined that our system has been subjected to unauthorized access.

Our Information Technology (IT) system and team noticed suspicious email activity and took immediate preventative action by shutting down the internal system as well as access to the internet, and external partners.

Cybersecurity experts continue to support the investigation into what happened and whether any sensitive data was exposed. This process is complex and will take some time. We are committed to being transparent and will notify individuals if we learn that any personal information has been exposed.

As of today, December 3, we are continuing to work through our Code Grey with a process of methodically bringing our systems back online. Until we are fully back online, our downtime procedures remain in effect. We continue to ensure our hospital remains a safe place to work and receive care.

“Patient care remains our top priority,” said Kim Delahunt, President and CEO. “We are grateful for our team including our staff and physicians who continue to provide excellent patient care even under these challenging circumstances.” 

At Headwaters, surgeries and outpatient clinics have continued as scheduled and the Emergency Department remains open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for urgent care. Our COVID-19 Assessment Centre reopened on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. with bookings being done by phone only.

Access to our health information system and reports have been delayed to community partners, including primary care physicians as a result of this incident. We apologize for these delays as we work towards restoring our systems. 

We will provide further updates on our progress as the situation evolves and will announce formally when the Code Grey is over.

We appreciate your patience and the ongoing commitment of our staff, physicians and partners who exemplify our purpose of One Community, Caring Together.
 
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