Proposed changes to event healthcare standards and expanded Care Quality Commission oversight could drive nearly a third of doctors away from equestrian events. The reforms, stemming from the Manchester Arena inquiry, require individual CQC registration for doctors providing cover. Industry leaders warn of financial burdens that could threaten event viability.
The UK Government's Department of Health and Social Care is advancing a new event healthcare standard to uniform medical provision at sporting and cultural events, alongside extending the Care Quality Commission's regulatory role. These measures follow recommendations from the 2017 Manchester Arena terrorist attack inquiry, published on May 2 as first reported by Horse & Hound. Doctors covering events would need separate CQC registration, as their standard workplace registration does not apply, incurring annual fees of £1,200 plus £1,900 initial admin costs per the CQC and department's impact assessment. A Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine survey indicates 29% of doctors might cease support for equestrian events and 36% for racing under these rules. Stephen Andrews, chairman of the Medical Equestrian Association, expressed concern: “We fully support the aims behind the event healthcare standard... but we have not been convinced that adding another layer of regulation, with the significant costs involved, would be of measured benefit.” He warned that individual registration costs could make participation unworkable, potentially passing burdens to organisers and rendering events unviable. British Equestrian chief executive Jim Eyre called the standard a “positive move” but highlighted risks to medical staff and event sustainability. British Eventing's Rosie Williams noted growing concerns over financial pressures on committed medical teams, while British Horseracing Authority's outgoing chief medical adviser Jerry Hill cautioned that CQC requirements could lead to loss of experienced staff and event cancellations. During April 15 parliamentary debates, under-secretary Zubir Ahmed assured a 15-month registration grace period and consultations to avoid overburdening volunteers and small events.
