In order to look after patients we are required to collect information about them. The types of information we collect about you might include:
– Your name;
– Your date of birth;
– Your address or your location;
– Your family doctor (GP);
– Your next of kin details (for example, your mum, dad or legal guardian);
– Any treatment or medication (for example, if you were diabetic);
– The reason you are contacting us (for example, needing an ambulance).

The information we collect from you (for example, from a 999 or 111 call) will form part of your health record.

To give you the best possible care, we will need to make a record about you. Each time you use our services (for example, calling us on 999 or 111) we will need to record why you contacted us, things you have told us, and what has happened (for example, details of an accident that you needed our help).

We will also need to record personal information such as your name, date of birth, address, and NHS number. This is to make sure we know where you are in case we need to contact you.

We use the information you give to us, to help you in an emergency.
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We have very strict rules in place to make sure all your information is stored safely.

Every staff member knows they have to work together to keep your information safe and they also have to complete training every year to remind them of this.

Once we make a record with your information in it, we will need to keep the record for a period of time.

NHS Digital help us decide how long to keep your records. NHS Digital is an organisation that provides assistance to the NHS across the whole country.
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We may share your information with your doctor, other hospitals, or social services. This is to make sure that all the people who care about you know exactly what you need.

You may also need care or help from other health organisations (for example, a dentist). If this happens, we will have to share your information with them.

We will only ever share information that needs to be shared. For example, if a hospital only needs your name and address from us, we will only give your name and address to them.
We may also share your information to make our services or the NHS better. We will always remove your personal details where possible, such as your name and address.

Young people and their parents/guardians are allowed to receive copies of their health records. We have a team to handle these requests. If you have any questions about this, you can contact us at individual.rights@nwas.nhs.uk.

If you believe that any information we hold about you is wrong, please let us know. Contact us at individual.rights@nwas.nhs.uk and we will be able to help you.

If you have any worries or questions about how your information is used, feel free to contact us on any of the email addresses below. We would be happy to help you with any questions.
Data Protection Officer – dpo@nwas.nhs.uk
Individual Rights – individual.rights@nwas.nhs.uk
Information Governance Team – information.governance@nwas.nhs.uk

We want to make sure that everyone has the same access to the services we give. The North West Ambulance realise that everybody is different and we aim to include everyone. Please contact us at information.governance@nwas.nhs.uk if you need help making this privacy notice work for you such as a bigger text version, help with text to speech, translations, or to answer any questions if there is anything in our notice which you do not understand.