A PATIENT nearly blew a fuse after a computer system failure left him unable to phone his doctors surgery. Andrew Levinson, aged 46, of St Leonards Crescent, Sandridge, rang the new automated phone system at Parkbury House Surgery, St Albans, five times l

A PATIENT nearly blew a fuse after a computer system failure left him unable to phone his doctors surgery.

Andrew Levinson, aged 46, of St Leonards Crescent, Sandridge, rang the new automated phone system at Parkbury House Surgery, St Albans, five times last Friday to try to get a medical report. But on each attempt the phone rang for about five minutes before he was cut off.

He complained that he had had trouble with the new system since it was introduced in October last year. He added: "Although I am fairly robust I have a lung condition and do need to see a doctor now and again."

Surgery manager Andrew Stennett said that last Friday there had been problems with the computer system and, because the new phone system was tied into it, the phone lines had been affected.

The new system was introduced because patient survey forms always complained about not being able to call the surgery.

And he added that the new system had been working very well.