North East Ambulance Service informatics team named top

The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) informatics team was named Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) Team of the Year at the SDN NENC Digital Conference 2026.

The award recognises the team’s success in implementing a fully automated data flow into the Secure Data Environment (SDE).

Emily Turnbull, head of informatics, said: “This award recognises work that often happens behind the scenes but makes a real difference.

“By improving how we handle and protect ambulance service data, we are helping to support better understanding of patient care, while always putting confidentiality first.”

The new system reduces manual handling, improves data consistency, and strengthens controls on who can access information.

It ensures that ambulance data can be used securely and responsibly to support patient care, research, and service improvements across the region.

The winning project was described as a team effort.

Jill Spencer supported early development discussions, Connor Rice initiated the build phase, Jake Bays drove the core delivery and completed the majority of development work, and Emmanuel Okutue led the creation of the fully automated process now in place.

Ms Turnbull said: “It reflects the commitment of colleagues across Informatics and Information Governance to use data responsibly, in a way that supports staff, protects patients and helps improve services for the communities we serve.”

The information governance team played a key role in keeping the data sharing process secure, compliant, and focused on patient privacy.

NEAS’s approach means health information can be shared more safely across the North East and North Cumbria, contributing to service improvement and research while maintaining strict confidentiality standards.

The award highlights NEAS’s broader commitment to using data responsibly to benefit staff and patients.

The work of the NEAS informatics and information governance teams supports ethical research and service improvements.

Their efforts help shape better care across the region while prioritising patient privacy and data protection.