Coen local Lucretia Huen worried about her health records after cyber-attack on Apunipima

Indigenous patients fear their private records have been made public after a cyber-attack on a Cape York health service this week with demands for greater assurance from the company.

Fear is rising that patients’ private records have been made public after a malicious cyber hack on Apunipima Cape York Health Council.

Apunipima was the victim of a cyber-attack this week but the organisation has maintained service delivery had not been significantly disrupted at its health clinics, nearly all of which are in Cape York towns including Coen, Aurukun and Laura.

But residents aren’t feeling as confident.

Coen resident Lucretia Huen said she had switched to a separate health service after the incident.

“They (Apunipima) can’t access their data online,” Ms Huen said.

Residents in Cape York town Coen are nervous after Apunipima’s systems were hacked. Picture: Marc McCormack

“I’ve definitely been put out by this. I’m now going to the Coen Primary Health Care Clinic.”

Ms Huen said fear was circulating among Coen Apunipima clients that their private health records had been compromised.

“People are definitely worried that their personal information is out there on the internet now,” she said.

“Being Indigenous, there is also that shame factor. People are embarrassed if others are looking at their private information.”

A statement released by Apunipima assured clients they would be notified “in a clear and precise manner” should the hack have secured private information.

Apunipima Cape York Health Council head office on McCoombe Street, Bungalow. Picture: Brendan Radke

But that assurance isn’t coming quick enough, at least for Ms Huen.

“We’ve seen an update on Facebook … but no-one has come round to the community to let them know what’s happening,” she said.

“I would like to hear that our records are safe. We would hate to see people’s records on the internet.”

An Aurukun resident, who requested to remain anonymous, said their fellow citizens in the town had been affected by disruptions at the local Apunipima clinic.

“There were a few people sitting up there waiting to be seen. They had a lot of trouble accessing services because the system was down,” he said.

Apunipima have been contacted for a further update.

Originally published as Coen local Lucretia Huen worried about her health records after cyber-attack on Apunipima