Upcoming Changes to Event Medical Regulation
What Event Organisers Need to Know Ahead of April 2026
There has been increasing discussion across the UK events sector about event medical regulation changes planned for 2026, with the intended implementation date now confirmed as April 2026.
For event organisers, this has understandably raised questions about compliance, CQC registration, and whether existing medical arrangements will remain acceptable.
This article explains what is currently proposed, what is not yet law, and – critically – what has not changed. It is designed to support proportionate, defensible planning during a period of regulatory transition, rather than speculation.
Why event medical regulation is changing
Medical provision at events in England has historically been governed through a combination of:
- Limited statutory regulation
- National guidance, particularly the Purple Guide
- Sector standards and professional good practice
While this model has generally functioned well, it has also led to:
- Confusion around the role of the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
- Inconsistent interpretation by organisers and local authorities
- Over-reliance on guidance where statutory clarity has been limited
In response, the Department of Health and Social Care has been reviewing whether the existing regulatory framework adequately reflects how healthcare is delivered in modern event environments.
What changes are currently proposed for April 2026
The UK Government has consulted on changes to regulations relating to the Care Quality Commission, supported by a published Regulatory Impact Assessment.
Key themes emerging from this work include:
- Clearer definition of which healthcare activities fall within statutory regulation
- Consideration of whether some event-related healthcare activity should be more explicitly regulated
- Reducing ambiguity for organisers, providers and licensing authorities
The intended commencement date for these regulatory changes has been moved to April 2026. At the time of writing, these proposals do not yet constitute new legal requirements.
For reference, organisers may wish to review:
The role of sector standards and professional guidance
Alongside proposed regulatory reform, sector bodies have been working to strengthen clarity and consistency within event healthcare.
The National Outdoor Events Association (NOEA) has been developing an Event Healthcare Standard, intended to:
- Provide clearer benchmarks for event medical provision
- Support organisers in demonstrating due diligence
- Complement statutory regulation rather than replace it
Further information on this work can be found here.
This reflects a wider recognition that regulation alone cannot address all aspects of event healthcare, and that clinical governance, competence and proportionality remain central.
What has not changed
Despite increasing focus on April 2026, several fundamentals remain unchanged.
Event organisers:
- Retain overall responsibility for the safety and welfare of attendees
- Must continue to plan medical provision based on risk, not attendance alone
- Are expected to align with recognised UK guidance, including the Purple Guide
- Cannot rely on routine 999 response as their primary medical plan
The Purple Guide to Health, Safety and Welfare at Music and Other Events remains the principal reference used by Safety Advisory Groups, licensing authorities and insurers.
In practical terms, organisers should continue to plan on the basis that current expectations still apply.
What this means for organisers right now
There is no requirement for organisers to change existing medical arrangements solely in anticipation of April 2026.
However, this period provides an opportunity to:
- Review how medical governance is documented
- Ensure clarity on what activities are regulated and by whom
- Confirm that providers can clearly explain their governance and accountability
- Avoid over-reliance on labels such as “CQC registered” without understanding their scope
Organisers who already plan proportionately and in line with guidance are unlikely to face sudden or disruptive change.
What to watch between now and April 2026
Between now and April 2026, organisers and providers should expect:
- Further clarification as regulations are finalised
- Updated guidance and sector interpretation
- Continued parliamentary and policy scrutiny
- Greater emphasis on governance rather than job titles or marketing claims
It remains important to distinguish between confirmed legal requirements and emerging policy direction.
Understanding how event medical providers are regulated today
For a clear explanation of how event medical providers are regulated in the UK at present, including:
- What the CQC does and does not regulate
- Clinical governance and accountability
- Qualifications, scope of practice and supervision
see our detailed guidance here.
A measured conclusion
Regulatory change in healthcare is rarely immediate. April 2026 should be viewed as a continuation of an existing direction rather than a sudden reset of expectations.
For event organisers, the most defensible position remains:
- Plan medical cover based on risk
- Use competent, well-governed providers
- Document decisions clearly
- Stay informed as guidance and regulation evolve
We will continue to update our knowledge base as further detail becomes available.