Who downgraded calls?

The request was partially successful.

Dear East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust,

I understand a group of your senior staff decided to "downgrade" types of 999 calls "without full, prior approval from directors".

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/health/east_...

Can you tell me the names of these senior staff? (There should be no need to try and invoke any sort of exemption under the foi act here. If you're able to alter these codes then you're clearly a more senior member of staff)
I would also like to know if they are members of any professional bodies e.g. HCPC, GMC etc. If so kindly identify which ones.
Further, can you also confirm that your Dr Marsh was completely unaware of this until 19th February 2014?

Yours faithfully,

J Lowe

FOI, East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Dear J Lowe

Thank you for your email dated 12th January 2015 where you requested information regarding the East of England Ambulance Service.

Your request will be dealt with under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and we will respond to you within twenty working days. Your request has been allocated the following reference: F18829 and I would be grateful if you could quote this reference in any future correspondence with the Trust.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

FoI Officer
East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust

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FOI, East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Dear J Lowe

Further to your email dated 12th January 2014, please find the Trust's response

Can you tell me the names of these senior staff?
The Trust considers this information to be sensitive personal information. It is felt that releasing this information could breach the data protection rights of these individuals, and as such the Trust will be applying s.40 of the Freedom of Information Act to this part of your request.

I would also like to know if they are members of any professional bodies e.g. HCPC, GMC etc. If so kindly identify which ones.
The Trust is unable to release this information in light of our response to the question above.

Can you also confirm that your Dr Marsh was completely unaware of this until 19th February 2014?
The Trust can confirm that Dr Marsh was completely unaware of this until 19th February 2014.

I am obliged to advise you that if you are dissatisfied with the Trust’s response to your request you have a right to complain to the Trust and should set out your concerns to the Freedom of Information Officer, EEAST, Hospital Approach, Broomfield, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 7WS or by email to [East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust request email]. If you remain dissatisfied following this, you have a right under Section 50 of the FOIA to seek a determination from the Information Commissioner on whether the Act has been properly applied by the Trust. For more information, please see www.ico.gov.uk.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information.

Kind regards

FoI Officer
East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust

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Dear East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust's handling of my FOI request 'Who downgraded calls?'.

Clearly senior members of your Trust decided to downgrade serious 999 calls and these related to the deaths of patients.
Whilst these individuals and your Trust might not want their names to become public knowledge, I believe we have a right to know who did this particularly as they may still be working for you or have gone to work in other parts of the NHS.
I do not believe your exemption is a valid one and I would like to know if it is possible to report these individuals to their respective professional bodies.
Kindly do not continue to hide their identities.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/w...

Yours faithfully,

J Lowe

FOI, East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Dear J Lowe

Thank you for your email. The Trust will undertake an Internal Review as requested, and will report back once completed.

Kind regards

FoI Officer
East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust

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