The core function of the National Poisons Information Centre is to provide information, promptly, by telephone, to assist in the treatment of poisoning. We responded to 9647 enquiries about human poisoning in 2009, as well as 89 enquiries about poisoning in animals. We also answered 102 non-emergency requests for information and followed-up 250 enquiries to determine the outcome of serious or unusual cases of poisoning. Follow-up is usually performed by telephone and can involve multiple calls to nursing and/or medical staff.