Recommendation MAI-86: Arena healthcare provider staffing requirements
From Manchester Arena Inquiry: Volume 2: Emergency Response, published 3 November 2022.
Recommendation
SMG should ensure that the healthcare service provider at the Arena has adequate staffing and skill levels for every event at that location.
In brief (written by this site)
The Cabinet Office reported in February 2026 that the recommendation was completed, noting that SMG's Arena medical plan outlines the staffing levels allocated to each event following individual risk assessments (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026). In the same update, the department stated that the healthcare provider uses an electronic rostering system that checks skills before staff are rostered, backed by monthly dip sample testing by the venue operator (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026).
Sources
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 26 Sep 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
Government response
Accepted in full
Delivery
Cabinet Office says completed (27 February 2026)
SMG's Arena medical plan outlines the levels of medical staffing SMG's medical services provider must allocate to each of its events at Manchester Arena. Each event is separately risk assessed to decide how many medical staff are required. The medical services provider uses an electronic rostering system which records staff members' skills; the system does not allow a staff member to be rostered into a role they do not have the skills for. SMG's Arena team carry out a monthly 'dip sample' test of the staff used by the Arena's medical service provider, to ensure staff are trained properly for their roles.
Earlier statement on delivery (1)
Cabinet Office (14 November 2025)
SMG's Arena medical plan outlines the levels of medical staffing SMG's medical services provider must allocate to each of its events at Manchester Arena. Each event is separately risk assessed to decide how many medical staff are required. The medical services provider uses an electronic rostering system which records staff members' skills; the system does not allow a staff member to be rostered into a role they do not have the skills for. SMG's Arena team carry out a monthly 'dip sample' test of the staff used by the Arena's medical service provider, to ensure staff are trained properly for their roles.
From: Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard, original version (data file)
Source
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- UK Government
Response - Cabinet Office
Delivery statement