Major disruption to some health services is expected, due to a “significant ransomware attack” on the HSE’s IT systems.

According to the HSE, it has taken the precaution of shutting down all of its IT systems “in order to protect it from this attack and to allow it to fully assess the situation with its security partners”.

It has apologised for any inconvenience this causes to patients.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, the CEO of the HSE, Paul Reid, said that the HSE had become aware of an attack, which was attempting to access data, overnight. However, no demand for ransom has so far been made.

He said that people should still attend appointments on Friday (May 14), unless they hear from their healthcare provider. However, the Rotunda Hospital has cancelled all of its outpatient visits for any women who are less than 36 weeks pregnant.

All gynaecological clinics are also cancelled in the Rotunda today (May 14), although anyone with “urgent concerns” is asked to still attend.

Meanwhile, the National Maternity Hospital has warned that there will be “significant disruption to all services today”. However, it has asked any patient with an appointment, or who has an emergency, to “please come as normal”.

The vaccine rollout programme has not been affected.