NSW Ambulance Service hit by virus

The New South Wales Ambulance Service was hit by a computer virus on the weekend which forced staff to switch off some computers for over a day.

It is understood the virus affected the computer network on Saturday, which prompted the shutdown. Staff then used notes to communicate and spoke over the telephone.

General manager Mike Willis told Fairfax radio yesterday the problem was regrettable given the amount of time it took to get back online, but defended the approach taken.

“It has been a long time coming back online,” he said. “That’s regrettable. But I’ll say we wouldn’t allow the system to be turned back on until our technicians cleaned every workstation.”

The Government has said that an inquiry will begin once all of the computer networks are back up and running.