NHS computer crash reassurances

The A&E department at Ninewells was affected

There was no risk to patients during a major computer server fault, according to NHS Tayside.

The system crashed at about 0000 GMT on Sunday and affected the Accident and Emergency department at Ninewells Hospital.

The region's out-of-hours service and the system allowing staff to check laboratory results were also hit.

The problems were resolved late on Sunday morning, about 12 hours after the network failed.

An NHS Tayside spokeswoman said: "A major server fault happened and while our out-of-hours IT support tried to resolve the problem, staff working in the centre immediately started to use their back-up manual system.

"There was absolutely no effect on patient care and the IT system was back up and running late Sunday morning.

"When our first point of contact for out-of-hours IT issues realised this was a major fault he escalated the reporting procedures within the organisation to make sure the right people where contacted and the problem resolved as soon as possible."