Emergency call unit

A call unit for use in an emergency call system comprises speech receiving and transmitting means (11) capable of operating in a handsfree mode. A first non-volatile memory (10a) stores information determining the destination of an emergency call made from the unit. Such call is initiated by microprocessor operating means (9) operating in a normal mode in response to a control signal from a generator, for example a radio signal generator (6), located remote from the unit. This operation initiates dialling by an automatic dialler (8) to an emergency call destination, and on connection handsfree two-way speech communication is permitted. The unit includes switch means (16) having a first normal switching condition in which the microprocessor operates in the normal mode. The switch means (16) responds to an incoming call signal on the telephone line to adopt a second switching condition causing the microprocessor to operate in a receive mode. In this mode receipt of a control signal from the signal generator (6) causes the microprocessor to enable handsfree two-way speech communication between the call unit and the incoming caller without the use of the unit physically having to be present at the call unit itself.