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Medical needs assessment

The assessment to be conducted to determine the appropriate level of medical provision for a ground and/or event.

The medical and first aid provision of a sports ground will vary according to its capacity, layout and complexity, and to the nature of the event or events taking place, the profile of spectators and the current level of national security threat.

In order to determine the appropriate level of provision it is necessary for the management to commission a Medical Needs Assessment (also known as a Medical Risk Assessment).

This should be carried out by a competent person or medical provider, such as a Medical Co-ordinator (if the ground has one) and/or an Event Doctor.

Consultation

  The Medical Needs Assessment should be carried out in consultation with: 

  • the local authority, where a safety certificate is in force. 
  • medical and first aid providers  
  • the statutory ambulance service NHS trust or other NHS authority  
  • ambulance providers registered with the Care Quality Commission (in England), or its equivalent  

The medical needs assessment will inform the Medical Plan, which details the levels of medical and first aid provision appropriate to the ground, its events and spectator profile.

Medical plan

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Factors to consider

The medical and first aid provision of a sports ground will vary according to its capacity, layout and complexity, along with the nature of the event or events taking place, the profile of spectators and the current level of national security threat.  

The Medical Needs Assessment should take account of physical, safety management and event specific factors

Physical factors

  • the physical layout of the sports ground and its surroundings (including roads, car parks and other features such as waterways and railway lines)  
  • the design of the ground  
  • the presence of upper tiers or extensive areas of spectator accommodation, the access and egress routes serving these areas 
  • the presence of areas of standing accommodation or temporary demountable stands  
  • the location of the ground control/ambulance control point, first aid posts, and other key locations identified in the management’s contingency plans and emergency procedures  
  • the type, operation and range of radio and other communication systems.  

Safety management factors

  • the safety management structure and lines of communication  
  • the management’s contingency plans and emergency procedures  
  • the training and competency of medical personnel  
  • hazards or risks posed to spectators by the nature of the event being staged  
  • historical data of treatments for injuries and medical conditions, including those of similar events elsewhere.  

Event specific factors

  • the type and nature of the event  
  • the likely attendance and levels of crowd density  
  • the anticipated spectator profile (age, gender, disabled spectators)  
  • the anticipated crowd behaviour (including the possible effects of long queuing times, and alcohol or drug use)  
  • the timing and duration of the event  
  • the use of special effects  
  • the requirements of the sport’s governing body  
  • the likelihood of a player, athlete or event official needing treatment from medical personnel commissioned by the ground management  
  • any event overlay  
  • likely weather conditions.