The launch of a new freephone number for people needing medical help or advice has been put on hold.
The NHS 111 number - intended to make it quicker and easier for people to get non-emergency medical help - was due to replace NHS Direct in six weeks' time, on June 25.
However, the three clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) across Leicestershire and Rutland have said "it is important to ensure the service is fully fit-for-purpose and met local patients' needs before the service launched."
Dr Avi Prasad, co-chairman of the Leicester City CCG, said: "Any delay in implementing a new service is disappointing but the safety of patients must always come first.
"We have learned lessons from other areas where the service is live."
Dr Prasad said the CCG is working with Derbyshire Health United, which won the contract to provide the call centre services for the new number, to make sure the service is up to scratch.
The CCGs were among a handful in the country which delayed starting the service which was launched in the rest of the country on April 1.
Dr Prasad added: "We are working to ensure that we have a high quality service that properly meets the needs of patients living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
"The system will only go live in our area when the CCGs are confident that it is ready to do so."
Dr Prasad said decisions were continuing with NHS Direct and the GP out-of-hours services to make sure that patients are cared for before the new service is launched.
He said NHS England, the organisation responsible for overseeing the work of the CCGs, has backed the decision to defer the launch of the scheme.
No new date for the launch has yet been set.
Health campaigner Zuffar Haq said: "This isn't good enough.
"It is very disappointing. This scheme should have been set up months ago. Out of hours patient care needs to be improved, it is causing huge problems for A&E."
