This answer is a bit late for giuliana orme, but maybe someone else has this problem.
Most Panasonic phones have a switch on side of phone labelled "Dec/Tone" or "Pulse/Tone". A lot of "Can't dial faults" are that this switch has been bumped to the DEC or Pulse position. Ensuring it is in TONE position fixes most problems.
howtomendit.com for free repair help, information and advice.
Try fixfault.com to fix corded phones.