A network of general practice and skin cancer clinics across Australia has been hit by a major cyber attack, with sensitive medical records and personal patient information confirmed stolen from at least 16 locations, the operator of the clinics said this week.

Partnered Health, which operates 57 clinics nationwide, posted an incident report to its website confirming that patients' medical records were accessed and taken during the breach. The company said it first became aware of the cyber attack on June 23 and has since been working with agencies including the Australian Cyber Security Centre and police to investigate the incident.

Partnered Health has identified 16 clinics where patient information may have been stolen, including sensitive medical records such as consultation notes, referral letters and pathology results. The company also warned that personal details, including patients' names, contact information, addresses, and Medicare and private health insurance information, may have been compromised in the breach.

The affected clinics span multiple states and territories, including locations in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and Coffs Harbour. One of the impacted facilities, the Cardiff Medical Centre and Skin Cancer Clinic, has been publicly identified among those believed to have been affected.

Beyond the 16 confirmed clinics, Partnered Health said it has identified another five locations, including some in Western Australia, where it is still investigating whether patient details were stolen as part of the breach.

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