Ambulance records 'inaccurate'

There were 123 inaccurate response times

Records of how long crews took to answer emergency calls were inaccurate in 123 cases last year, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service has admitted.

They initially said the discrepancy was caused by the falsification of records, however, they have since said it was down to computer error.

The Ambulance Service said the incident had been fully investigated.

Two members of staff who were suspended during an inquiry into the incident have since returned to work.

Chairwoman of Stormont's Health committee Iris Robinson said the incident would undermine public confidence.

"This is very worrying indeed," said the Democratic Unionist Assembly member.

She added: "It's very concerning to me and I will be raising it with the health minister at the first opportunity."

The Ambulance Service said that the 123 inaccurate records represented less than 1% of all the calls answered at the centre during that time.

All the records related to potentially life-threatening emergencies over a seven or eight month period between April and November last year, the service said.