Do event medical providers need CQC registration?

Yes, if they provide treatment by or under the supervision of a paramedic, nurse, doctor or other listed healthcare professional. Applications opened on 7 September 2026, and CQC enforces from 6 December 2027.

What is the deadline for event healthcare providers to register with CQC?

Apply by 1 March 2027 to be confident of a decision before 6 December 2027, when providing TDDI at an event without registration becomes an offence.

Is first aid at events regulated by CQC?

Not if it is genuinely first aid. It becomes regulated when a listed healthcare professional uses their professional skills or judgement, for example to diagnose, interpret an ECG, give prescription-only medicines or use a patient group direction.

Do volunteer event medics need to register?

There is no exemption for volunteers. Either the volunteer registers as an individual, or the organisation that engages them registers.

Do we register every event as a location?

Usually not. A provider working from one base normally registers that base as its location.

Does CQC register the event or the organiser?

No. CQC registers the healthcare provider that carries on the regulated activity.

Insights

What sports clubs must check before the 2027/28 season

Sports clubs that arrange medical cover may now be in scope for CQC registration. What to check before the 2027/28 season, and who must register.

Written by Adam Wiles, Registered Paramedic and former CQC registered manager.

Reviewed by Adam Wiles, Paramedic (HCPC PA053155), 2 November 2026.

Governance · November 2026 · 2 minute read

From 6 December 2027, a club or governing body that arranges treatment at its events by paramedics, nurses or doctors may need to be registered with CQC, or make sure whoever provides that cover is. The season starts before enforcement does, so check now.

Six questions to ask

Who provides our matchday cover? If it is a contracted medical provider, ask whether they are registered or have applied, before you sign for 2027/28.
Do we engage clinicians ourselves? If the club engages a doctor or paramedic to provide care on its behalf, the club may need to register.
Who do they treat? Care a club arranges for its own employed players is exempt, but not care for spectators, families or friends.
Is it first aid or more? If your clinicians diagnose, interpret ECGs, give prescription-only medicines or use patient group directions, it is TDDI.
Do we take people off site? Transport beyond the ground needs its own registration.
What does our risk assessment say? CQC will not set your level of cover. Keep a written risk assessment for each fixture or event.

Read our full guide to CQC registration for event medical providers. Not sure if you are in scope? Our event healthcare CQC registration support starts with a free 30-minute call.

Free download: event medical CQC readiness checklist as Word or PDF.

Event healthcare provider? Find out if you need to register.

A free 30-minute call to check whether your service is in scope and what to have in place before 1 March 2027.

Book a free call

What sports clubs must check before the 2027/28 season

Six questions to ask

Related

CQC registration for event medical providers

Event healthcare CQC registration support

How to register with CQC

Event healthcare provider? Find out if you need to register.