Changes to CQC requirements at Events
Upcoming Changes to Event Medical Cover Regulations: What You Need to Know Following concerns raised regarding the quality and safety of medical care at events, the UK government is implementing significant regulatory changes. These changes will focus on the removal of certain exemptions from Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration and the development of new guidelines by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Removal of CQC Registration Exemptions Certain medical services provided at temporary cultural and sporting events, as well as treatments within sports grounds or gymnasiums, were previously exempt from CQC regulation. Thus providers offering treatment for disease, disorder, or injury (TDDI) in these settings were not required to register with the CQC. Following the Ariana Grande, Manchester Arena Inquiry, there were highlighted concerns about unregulated medical care at events. The DHSC, following that inquiry, proposed removing all these exemptions. This would ensure that all medical providers offering TDDI services at events would be subject to consistent regulatory scrutiny. This will ensure a high level of enhanced patient safety and care quality. The proposed changes were initially set to take effect from March 2025 but have been delayed until later in the year. While a new implementation date has yet to be confirmed, it is crucial for event organisers that they prepare for these. Any delay in making these changes may cause last-minute disruptions in their event, festival, Exhibition or sporting event. What are the Implications for Event Organisers and Medical Providers Following the outcome of the inquiry and the anticipated implementation of these changes which are expected by late 2025, organisers must ensure that any medical service providers they engage are CQC-registered. These changes will standardise and raise the quality of medical care across all events and reduce risks associated with unregulated medical providers. First aid services will remain exempt from CQC regulation, this exemption only applies to basic first aid provision, such as first aider at work trained staff who provide immediate assistance in an emergency. Any medical person or company providing service involved in treatments for disease, disorder, or injury including those services provided by doctors, nurses, paramedics or First responders will be required to have a current CQC registration. This basically means that all doctors, nurses, paramedics and responders working at events must either be employed by a CQC-registered provider or be registered in their own right as an individual provider. Registration and maintaining compliance with the standards set by the CQC is not easy and very costly. It places a number of administrative burdens on medical providers, involving ongoing annual and compliance fees. Also audits, inspections and governance requirements. It must be noted that if a paramedic, nurse, doctor or responder is providing patient care (TDDI) on a voluntary basis, they are still required to be registered with the CQC. This is the same if they are working as a lone provider or through their organisation. This requirement will significantly impact how healthcare professionals engage in event medical cover, particularly for the smaller or charitable events. This will impact on organisers that previously relied on voluntary medical support. For medical providers who are not currently registered with the CQC, this means that they will be undergoing a lengthy registration process. They will also have to adhere to the associated compliance measures, such as Enhanced DBS checks, Legislative compliance, They will need to demonstrate that they meet the standards set out by the current legislation. This whole process will introduce additional operational and administrative costs. That being said the objective is to prioritise patient and public safety and raise the standard of healthcare being delivered in difficult or challenging environments such as events. As an event organisers look at their planned events in 2025 or 2026 it would be good to engage with their chosen medical provider as soon as possible. They need to be sure that as an organiser due diligence is followed to determine if their provider is CQC-registered. If a medical provider, volunteer or business is not yet registered, it would be a good time to consider engaging with a CQC-registered (and therefore regulated) provider to ensure compliance with the new regulations. This will ensure avoidance of potential legal or medical operational issues. Development of DHSC Guidelines As part of these regulatory changes, the DHSC is developing a standard for the provision of healthcare at events. Once published, the CQC will use this standard when regulating a medical care provider who wants to operate care at events. Providers must meet defined criteria for safe treatment and care quality. These new regulations reflect a commitment by the government to improving healthcare provision at events and addressing concerns about unregulated care providers which could lead to serious harm or poor care practice. Conclusion The impending changes to the event medical industry allows for regulations that represent a pivotal forwards move to enhancing the safety and quality of healthcare services at all events. Although the implementation date for March has been delayed event organisers and medical providers are urged to proactively prepare for these changes. Compliance is not an option it’s a necessity. Event organisers are requested to take early steps to verify that their providers registration status with the CQC is current and accepted as competent to deliver and manage medical care not only at the event but through correct levels of insurance and compliance. If they are not then look at a transition to a regulated provider to safeguard the public, sports personnel and the event operations. |
Start of a new season which is well under way.
Keep an eye out for the festival dates, sporting events, exhibitions. Dont forget to look at the training section for Pre-hospital and First Aid courses. Here are some planned dates EFAW Courses 16th June 2025 - 30th June 2025 - 4th July 2025 - 7th July 2025 - 22nd July 2025 - 23rd July 2025 - 28th July 2025 FAW Courses 2nd to the 4th June 2025 - 18th to the 20th June 2025 - 1st to the 3rd July 2025 - 8th to the 10th July - 23rd to the 25th July 2025 To enquire about courses please email using the contact form on the contact us tab. We lookforward to assisting your journey to becoming a skilled and safe first Aider. |