The Government has unveiled plans to protect the NHS and the social care sector against cyberattacks.

It says it will protect health and adult social care functions and services as part of its commitment to build a stronger more sustainable health service.

The plan involves five key strategies including identifying the areas where disruption would cause the greatest harm to patients.

Ministers say the plan will unite the NHS so that it can take advantage of its scale and benefit from national resources and expertise.

This will ensure services are better protected from cyber threats, further securing sensitive information and ensuring patients can continue accessing care safely.

More than 40 million people now have an NHS login to help them book appointments, track referrals and order medications online while more than half of social care providers now use digital records, according to the Government.

Health minister Lord Markham said: ‘We’re harnessing the power of technology to deliver better, safer care to people across the country but at the same time it’s crucial we’re also bolstering the defences of our health and care services.

‘This new strategy will be instrumental to ensure every organisation in health and adult social care is set up to meet the challenges of the future.

‘This is an important step to ensure we’re building an NHS which is sustainable and fit for the future, with patients at the centre.’