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A major IT and phone network failure has suspended some services at Hillingdon and Mount Vernon Hospitals in west London.

The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust issued a statement on Tuesday morning (October 24) asking patients not to attend A&E unless "absolutely necessary".

Emergencies are currently being diverted to other hospitals, while non-urgent procedures have been suspended.

"Part of the phone and IT network are currently down at Hillingdon and Mount Vernon Hospitals," the statement read.

"To ensure patient safety, the trust has had to suspend non-urgent procedures until we are able to resolve the issue.

"A&E emergencies are currently being diverted to other hospitals.

Hillingdon and Mount Vernon Hospitals are affected by a major IT and phone system failure

"People are asked not to attend A&E unless absolutely necessary.

"All outpatient appointments are going ahead as planned."

We'll be bringing you the latest updates on this breaking news story as it develops.

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Both hospitals operating as normal

The trust has just said both hospitals are now operating as normal, following this morning’s IT and phone system failure.

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Services are returning to normal

Services are returning to normal after this morning’s IT and phones failure, but patients are still being asked not to attend A&E unless “absolutely necessary”.

We’ll update you as and when we know more.

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Patients still advised not to go to A&E

Patients are still being asked not to attend A&E unless “absolutely necessary”.

Ambulances are no longer being diverted from the two hospitals.

Read more here.

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Ambulances are no longer on divert

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Departments returning to normal in stages

This statement has just been released by the hospital trust:

“The situation is currently being managed effectively under our business continuity plans and our clinical systems are now up and running with departments returning back to normal in stages.

“There has been no disruption to emergency and urgent procedures. We have minimised cancellations and some non-urgent procedures have had to be rescheduled but the majority are now going ahead as planned.

“Ambulances are no longer being diverted but we are asking people not to come to A&E unless absolutely necessary at this time.”

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Got a question? Call this number

Anyone with concerns can call the hospital switchboard on 01895 238282

Police were called to Hillingdon Hospital after reports of a person making threats to staff
Hillingdon Hospital (Image: Google )
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Emergency and urgent procedures going ahead

The trust has said emergency and urgent procedures are now going ahead as planned

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'Systems being restored'

This just in from The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust:

“The trust [IT and phone] systems are now being restored. All urgent areas are being prioritised.

“Patients ready for discharge will be discharged as planned. Emergency and urgent procedures are going ahead as planned.

“Ambulances remain on divert to other hospitals at this time.”

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Full story

For the full story, which includes everything we know at this time, click here.

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Everything we know so far

  • A&E on hold
  • Non-urgent procedures suspended
  • Emergencies being diverted to other hospitals
  • CT scans from 11am will be rescheduled
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Procedures suspended to 'ensure patient safety'

Non-urgent procedures have been suspended to “ensure patient safety”, the hospital trust said.

Mount Vernon Hospital
Mount Vernon Hospital
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What we know so far

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CT scans cancelled

The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed that all outpatient appointments today ARE going ahead, except for CT scans from 11am.

“These will be rescheduled as soon as possible,” a spokesman added.

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