Health ministers have launched an investigation into the North East Ambulance Service after it emerged that key documents relating to patient deaths had been altered or suppressed.
Health Minister Maria Caulfield told MPs that she would "not hesitate to take any action necessary" to protect patients.
It comes after whistleblowers raised concerns over the way in which the ambulance service has been dealing with coroner's court cases - including in the case of Shildon teenager Quinn Evie Milburn-Beadle.
