Medical planning

In this section:

To reduce the impact of an event on the NHS, there should be an appropriate level of medical cover based on a detailed medical needs assessment and medical plan.

The following two documents will allow the Statutory Ambulance Service at our Safety Advisory Group (SAG) meetings to assess the proposed medical cover for an event.

A document that shows the method used by the medical provider to the event organiser and SAG on how they have determined what level of medical cover they are proposing for the event

It should cover:

  • date and time of event
  • type of event (injuries you may have to deal with)
  • location of event
  • maximum number of persons attending the event on site at any one time
  • what guidance they are using to determine the level of cover (e.g. Old Purple Guide, New Purple Guide, Green Guide any event specific guidance)
  • nature of the event
  • numbers of people attending
  • history of the event
  • age profile of the attendees
  • activities on site
  • environmental conditions
  • public camping
  • the proposed level of cover and any difference to the guidance level and explanation

A document that details the operational medical deployment for the event.

It should cover as a minimum:

  • date and time of event
  • agreed start and finish times of contracted cover
  • type of event with reference to audience profile, activities on site and past history
  • location of event with access and exit routes
  • site plans that shows access routes (including routes for emergency access) and the medical provider’s area of responsibility (agreed with NHS ambulance service)
  • maximum number of persons attending the event on site at any one time
  • attendee profile which will assist in medical resource planning
  • name of the medical provider/s and if registered under the CQC registration details
  • named individual(s) with responsibility for coordinating medical provision and normally available on-site during the event
  • specific arrangements for covering campsites 
  • communications plan, with command-and-control structure where appropriate
  • infection prevention and control measures, including the management and disposal of sharps and other clinical waste
  • contingency plans for major or mass casualty incidents - Joint Emergency Service Interoperability Programme (JESIP) implemented into plans
  • details of medical provision to include:
  • numbers of staff that will be onsite and their skill set ( Minimum skill set is now set at First Response Emergency Care (FREC) level 3 or equivalent)
  • details of any cycle responders / response cars being deployed and with what staff skill sets are
  • details of any ambulances deployed to the event and will they provide transport to hospital
  • details of treatment areas to be used at the event
  • details of any standby points for the medical team
  • if operating shifts - timings

For information on the level of medical provision required for an event please contact the West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust.

Doctor

A person currently registered as a doctor with the General Medical Council (GMC). 

Registrations can be checked by visiting the GMC website.

Paramedic/Specialist Practitioner

A person currently registered as a paramedic with the Health Care and Professionals Council (HCPC). 

Registrations can be checked by visiting the HCPC website.

Nurse / Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP/ANP)

A person currently registered as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Registrations can be checked by visiting the NMC website.

Emergency Medical Technician(EMT) or Technician

A person trained (usually) by:

  • the NHS using the Institute of Health Care Development (IHCD) framework
  • a private provider using a similar structure i.e. First Response Emergency Care QCF (FREC 4), St John Ambulance Qualification etc.

There is no national register of qualifications.

First Responder

A person who has the following awards:

  • First Response Emergency Care (FREC3)
  • First Person on Scene (FPOS)

There is no national register of qualifications.

The first aid at work, (FAW) and emergency first aid at work (EFAW) qualifications are not suitable for event management.

Guides for event organisers

The Purple Guide can be used for most events (check against Green Guide events below) all elements of running an event and is regularly updated.

The Green Guide is used for events at stadiums, such as:

  • football
  • cricket
  • rugby etc

Bleeds kits and defibrillators

Bleed kits and defibrillators can save lives. Life-saving packs and equipment are available at locations in Solihull.