The Ask Simplified:

1. Ensure Medical Provision is included on Event Terms of Use

2. Ensure that event organiser are required to organise event medical

staffing to the recommended Purple Guide standard

3. That checks are undertake to ensure that events use appropriate 3rd party medical suppliers, with the correct:

public liability insurance
medical indemnity insurance
employers liability insurance
Appropriately trained staff with in date and suitable qualifications
fleet insurance for vehicles (where appropriate)
Governance in place for data protection, safeguarding, infection prevention and control, DBS checks on all patient facing staff

4. That event medical plans and risk assessments are produced

Championing all Councils in Greater Manchester to abide by the Purple Guide for Event First Aid

The Purple Guide is a guide offering health, safety and welfare advice for event organiser, particularly for outdoor events and festivals. It covers best practices for planning, risk management, crowd safety and emergency procedures. The Purple Guide is not legally mandatory, but it is considered best practice within the UK events industry. It supports compliance with legal duties under the Health & Safety at Work act 1974 and related regulations. In the event of an enquiry or investigation, organisers who have followed the guidance are likely to be viewed more favourably, as it demonstrates they took reasonable steps to ensure safety. Conversely, deviating from the guide without justification could raise questions about negligence or insufficient planning.

The Medical Chapter focuses on ensuring appropriate medical provisions for attendees and staff. It outlines how to assess medical needs based on event size, type, and risk profile; guidance on medical staffing, facilities, first aid and coordination with local NHS and emergency services.

Each event is graded according to the Purple Guide in to 5 Tiers. Our ask of the Councils is that they will commit to ensuring that event organisers follow the Purple Guide when planning their events to ensure that each and every event delivered in Greater Manchester is delivered to the highest possible standards.

Tier 1

Tier 1 events are the smallest and simplest events. The presence of some of these factors indicates than event maybe Tier 1

duration of a few hours or less
no activities carrying a risk of injury
no or minimal alcohol consumptions
no or minimal recreational drug us
fewer than 500 attendees
hospital referrals very unlikely

Cover Level

provisions of suitable first aid kit and someone to use it
location of the nearest defibrillator and how to access it
ensuring the appropriate people know how to access emergency assistance

Tier 2

Tier 2 events are somewhat larger events which often fall within the scope of authority licensing. The presence of some of these indicate that an event maybe in Tier 2

duration more than few hours but no longer than a day
low risk of illness or injury from activities
social drinking of alcohol
no more that isolated drug use
up to 2,000 attendees
hospital referrals unlikely

Cover Level

a nominated lead who is responsible for the delivery of service on site
supporting first responders of healthcare professionals
an ambulance with suitably qualified crew if hospital transfers are expected

Tier 3

Tier 3 events are normally larger events with greater potential for illness and injury. The presene of some of these indicate that an event maybe in Tier 3

duration more than one day
moderate risk of illness or injury from activities
alcohol intoxication likey
drug intoxication likely
up to 5,000 attendees
hospital referrals foreseeable

Cover Level

a clinical lead, who should be a registered healthcare professional with pre-hospital experience
other healthcare professionals, such as doctors, paramedics and nurses
first responders
ambulance(s) with suitably qualified crew if hospital transfers are expected

Tier 4

Tier 4 are larger and more complex events, where more medical presentations maybe expected. The presence of some of these indicates that an event may be in Tier 4

durations one to several days
significant risk of illness or injury from activities
alcohol intoxication expected
drug intoxication expected
up to 10,000 attendees
hospital referrals likely

Cover Level

a clinical lead, who should be a registered healthcare professional with pre-hospital experience
healthcare professionals, such as doctors, paramedics and nurses
first responders
ambulance(s) with suitably qualified crew

Tier 5

Tier 5 are the largest or more complex events, including all mass gatherings, as well as smaller events that have higher risks. The presence of some of these indicates that an event may be in Tier 5

duration several days
high risk of illness or injury from activities
alcohol intoxication expected
drug intoxication expected
more than 10,000 attendees
referrals to hospital expected

Cover Level

a clinical lead, who should be a registered doctor, preferably an emergency medicine specialist
registered healthcare professionals, including doctors, paramedics and nurses
first responders
ambulance(s) with suitably qualified crew
control staff
Organisers should ensure that sufficient medical resources are provided to deliver the level of cover throughout the event. If an ambulance and crew are required to undertake a hospital transfer, this should not compromise the cover left on site
Prospective medical providers should submit a specific Medical Needs Assessment which should be used to determine the extent and level of cover required. This will then be used to create a detailed medical plan

Who is qualified to be a First Responder?

Organisers should obtain assurance from the medical provider that all staff working at the event hold current and appropriate qualifications and certification for their designated roles. Some roles have protected titles such as:

Doctors
Paramedic
Registered Nurse

Medical Providers might use a range of titles to describe their medical staff. Below is a list of qualifications and which fall in to 8 categories from A to H based on competency and capability. The minimum qualification level for working unsupervised at licensed events is D or higher

Which Councils have agreed to ensure that all events, from smallest to large abide by the Purple Guide for Medical Provision

Salford City Council

Salford City Council replied very quickly. They informed us that they work with representatives from North West Ambulance Service to review the safe levels of medical cover at outdoor events across the city. They use this advice along with the Purple Guide.

The event medical provision planning section of Salford City Council website is the same guidance and advice that the Purple Guide sets out.

In terms of the ask:

1. Salford City Council DO have clear medical provision requirements in their Terms of Use documents

2. Salford City Council DO have process with NWAS and utilising the Purple Guide to ensure best practice is followed.

3. Salford City Council REQUEST that event organiser check for the required documentation from Medical providers, however it is not certain if this information is required to be supplied as part of the application process.

4. Salford City Council DID NOT state if they require event medical plans and risk assessments to be submitted as part of the event planning.