Is the CQC going to regulate events and sports stadiums?
Are the CQC regulatory changes going to affect your sport or event?
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is poised to expand its regulatory scope to include medical services provided at sporting and cultural events, such as festivals and stadiums. This potential shift stems from recommendations in the Manchester Arena Inquiry and concerns over unregulated healthcare practices at these events.
Background: The Need for Regulation
Currently, medical treatment at temporary events and within sports grounds or gymnasiums is exempt from CQC oversight. This exemption has led to instances of unsafe practices, including reports of serious harm and fatalities due to inadequate care. The CQC is prepped to remove these exemptions and alongside these changes the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is developing a new event medical standard which brings together all of the current industry guidance.
Proposed Changes to CQC Regulations
The DHSC has consulted on amending the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 to:
Remove the exemptions for medical treatment at temporary events and within sports grounds or gymnasiums.
Introduce a requirement for providers to notify the CQC about the use of restrictive practices in mental health units.
These changes aim to bring medical services at events under CQC regulation, ensuring they meet the same safety and quality standards as other healthcare settings.
Implications for Event Organisers
If these regulatory changes are implemented, event organisers will need to:
Register with the CQC if providing medical treatment at events in-house or choose a CQC-regulated partner.
Have the necessary knowledge, qualifications, skills and experience to deliver the services safely
Ensure compliance with CQC's fundamental standards, including safe care and treatment, staffing, and governance.
Maintain clear documentation and reporting practices to meet regulatory requirements.
This shift may also prompt a review of existing safety protocols and insurance arrangements to align with CQC expectations.
A recent survey found 1/3 of event respondents would consider closing or relocating outside of England
Implications for Unregulated First Aid Providers
This change in registration is aimed at targeting unregulated providers as this is where the risk to the public has been identified. Levelling the playing field will ensure that staff have proper recruitment and background checks and that clinical standards are safer. CQC registration does not guarantee safety, as the registration process is relatively quick and easy. It’s only when an organisation is inspected that they get fully audited and this may be a year or more after registration. That said regulated activities bring accountability to the registered managers meaning they are legally responsible for the care they give
Implications for Solo Doctors, Nurses or Paramedics
Being CQC registered as an individual is time-consuming and costly. Even if you are on your own you still need to meet the CQC standards which means insuring processes and policies around everything from safeguarding, infection control, audits, incident reporting, performance metrics, compliments and complaints, deteriorating patients, risk and leadership. Leadership is hard to demonstrate as an individual, the easiest way is to have an advisor and hold monthly management meetings which look at all the regulatory requirements.
Given the level of work involved the likelihood is the voluntary sector as it stands will likely be affected. The cost of delivering services for free will swing from giving up your time, to thousands of pounds in compliance. It anticipated this may lead to more regulated companies providing umbrella services in the form of governance and quality supervision.
Broader Impact on the Events Sector
The events sector is already subject to various regulations, including those from the Health and Safety Executive and local authorities. The introduction of CQC oversight could lead to a more unified approach to healthcare provision at events, potentially improving care quality and accountability. However, some industry stakeholders have raised concerns about the CQC's experience and capacity to regulate the diverse and dynamic events sector effectively.