Statement about our new call-taking system

8 June 2011

Updated at 11pm

To be attributed to a London Ambulance Service spokesperson:

“We are currently still using our manual system for managing 999 calls; this involves recording calls on paper and passing information to ambulance crews over the radio.

“We switched to this system earlier today (8 June) after we experienced technical issues with a new 999 computer system that we introduced last night.

“We have now decided that we will revert back to using our original computer system while the issues with the new system are being resolved; we will do this in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

“Our priority remains to answer all incoming 999 calls, giving priority to those patients with the most serious illnesses and injuries.

“We would ask people to use their ambulance service wisely at this time and consider where else they may be able to get medical help if it is not an emergency, for example NHS Direct, walk-in centres or minor injuries units.”

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