AN AMBULANCE service has declared a critical incident following a “significant IT issue” last night.

The South East Coast Ambulance Service said in a statement this morning that “staff are working extremely hard” and are continuing to respond to patients.

However, they are asking patients to consider “alternatives” to calling 999.

A spokesman said: “Following a significant IT issue overnight, we have declared a Critical Incident this morning – 17 Nov 2021.

“Staff are working extremely hard as we continue to respond to patients.

“We would ask that you consider alternatives to 999, inc NHS 111 online, unless absolutely essential.”

The NHS defines a critical incident as “any localised incident where the level of disruption results in the organisation temporarily or permanently losing its ability to deliver critical services, patients may have been harmed or the environment is not safe requiring special measures and support from other agencies, to restore normal operating functions”.

The South East Coast Ambulance Service covers East and West Sussex, as well as Kent and Surrey.

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