Understanding the New Event Healthcare Standards: What Event Organisers Need to Know
Published: June 2026
The way event healthcare is planned in England is evolving.
Following recommendations made by the Manchester Arena Inquiry, the UK Government, NHS England and healthcare professionals have been working together to develop a new Event Healthcare Standard alongside changes to the regulation of some event healthcare providers.
We’ve received a number of questions from organisers asking what these changes mean for their events. The good news is that, for most organisers, the principles of good event planning remain the same.
This article explains what is changing, what isn’t, and how Marches Ambulance Service is preparing.
Why are these changes happening?
The Manchester Arena Inquiry identified significant variation in the way healthcare was planned and delivered at events across England.
While many events already receive excellent medical provision, there has never been a single national standard setting out what organisers and healthcare providers should consider when planning event healthcare.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), working alongside NHS England and industry experts, has therefore developed the forthcoming Event Healthcare Standard, designed to improve consistency, strengthen public safety and support proportionate, risk-based planning.
Alongside this, the Government has confirmed changes to Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulations relating to certain healthcare providers delivering regulated clinical care at sporting and cultural events.
What is the Event Healthcare Standard?
The Event Healthcare Standard is intended to become the national reference document for planning healthcare at events.
Importantly, it is not a document that tells every organiser exactly how many clinicians or first aiders they must have.
Instead, it encourages organisers and healthcare providers to assess each event individually and determine what level of healthcare is appropriate based on the specific risks presented.
The draft Standard consistently promotes:
- proportionate, risk-based planning;
- documented Medical Needs Assessments;
- appropriate clinical governance;
- clear roles and responsibilities;
- safeguarding;
- effective communication and command arrangements;
- reducing avoidable impact on NHS services.
The Standard is expected to be published later this year as non-statutory guidance, with the Government evaluating its use before deciding whether it should eventually become statutory.
What has not changed?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that every event will now require large numbers of clinicians or ambulances.
This is not the case.
The developing guidance recognises that:
- every event is different;
- attendance alone does not determine medical need;
- many small, low-risk events will continue to require only appropriate first aid provision;
- higher-risk events may require more comprehensive healthcare planning.
The emphasis is on matching healthcare provision to the actual risks of the event, rather than applying a simple formula.
What about CQC registration?
Recent Government announcements regarding CQC regulation have understandably raised questions.
These changes relate primarily to healthcare providers delivering regulated clinical services, rather than event organisers themselves.
Event organisers do not need to become CQC registered simply because they are organising an event.
Organisers remain responsible for ensuring that appropriate medical provision is in place, while healthcare providers are responsible for complying with any regulatory requirements that apply to the services they deliver.
What does this mean for event organisers?
For most organisers, these developments reinforce good practice rather than introduce completely new requirements.
When planning an event, organisers should expect healthcare planning to consider factors such as:
- event type and activities;
- anticipated attendance;
- audience demographics;
- alcohol and drug risks;
- weather and environmental conditions;
- site layout and access;
- event duration;
- historical information from previous events;
- reasonably foreseeable medical presentations.
Increasingly, these considerations will be documented within a Medical Needs Assessment and, where appropriate, a Medical Management Plan.
This provides a clear rationale explaining why a particular level of medical provision has been recommended.
How is Marches Ambulance Service preparing?
Over the past year we have been reviewing and updating our own clinical governance and planning processes in anticipation of these national developments.
Our Medical Management Plans have been updated in line with the latest Purple Guide and incorporate many of the principles expected within the forthcoming Event Healthcare Standard, including:
- structured Medical Needs Assessments;
- risk-based staffing recommendations;
- robust clinical governance;
- safeguarding arrangements;
- NHS Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) principles;
- JESIP-aligned command and communication arrangements;
- contingency planning for major incidents.
This means that clients working with Marches Ambulance Service can be confident that their event medical planning already reflects current national best practice and is well positioned for future developments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to change my event plans?
Not simply because of these announcements.
If your event already has appropriate medical planning based on recognised guidance, it is unlikely that immediate changes will be required.
We will continue to review each event individually and discuss any recommendations with organisers during the planning process.
Will this increase the cost of event medical cover?
Not necessarily.
The new approach does not require every event to increase medical provision. Instead, it encourages provision that is proportionate to the actual level of risk.
Some events may require more healthcare than previously provided, while others may not require any changes at all.
Will first aid still be acceptable?
Yes.
Many small, low-risk events will continue to be appropriately supported by first aid provision where this is justified by the event’s risk assessment.
Does attendance alone determine medical cover?
No.
Current national guidance consistently states that attendance is only one of many factors that should be considered when determining appropriate healthcare provision.
Looking ahead
The Event Healthcare Standard is expected to be published later this year.
As further information becomes available, we will continue to review our procedures and share updates with our clients.
Our aim remains unchanged: to provide safe, proportionate and evidence-based medical provision that supports event organisers, protects the public and minimises unnecessary impact on local NHS services.
If you are planning an event and would like to discuss your medical requirements, our team would be pleased to help.