Yet another email about GDPR

Whenever we are called by a journalist, we record your name, email address, phone number and media organisation. This is so that we can contact you with answers to your questions, but also so that we have a record of your inquiry.

When the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into effect on Friday, we will continue to carry out this procedure.

North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust takes the view that, as a category 1 emergency responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 we have an obligation to keep you informed and updated on developments.

We also believe that, as an emergency service, we have a public interest duty to keep you informed. This means that we will not be asking for your consent to keep your details. However, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) places upon us an obligation to protect the data we hold on you. This includes protecting your work address, email, work phone number and media organisation. We hold your details securely on a database that is password protected.

The information held is controlled by North East Ambulance Service communications staff and will be used to contact you with information relating to journalistic inquiries about the public services we provide. We will also use this information to contact you to events, photo-opportunities, interviews and briefings about other health-related issues, products and services that we feel may be of interest to you.

You can change your preferences by emailing publicrelations@neas.nhs.uk 

Kind regards,

Mark Cotton

Assistant Director of Communications & Engagement
North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust