Recommendation MAI-87: Healthcare provider relationship with NWAS
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 a strong working relationship with North West Ambulance Service.
In brief (written by this site)
In a February 2026 progress update published by the Cabinet Office, the addressees reported that the recommendation was completed, explaining that SMG had agreed a medical plan with the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust covering equipment, staffing levels, and major incident protocols, alongside hosting monthly meetings and annual reviews (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026). Previously, the UK Government accepted the recommendation in full in November 2025 (Cabinet Office response, Nov 2025).
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)
Staff at Manchester Arena have a strong working relationship with NWAS. SMG have agreed the Manchester Arena medical plan with NWAS and its own in-house medical services provider. The plan includes information on the medical equipment to be available at the Arena, medical staffing levels and major incident response protocols. SMG host monthly meetings with NWAS at the Manchester Arena, as well as annual meetings to review the Arena medical plan.
Earlier statement on delivery (1)
Cabinet Office (14 November 2025)
Staff at Manchester Arena have a strong working relationship with NWAS. SMG have agreed the Manchester Arena medical plan with NWAS and its own in-house medical services provider. The plan includes information on the medical equipment to be available at the Arena, medical staffing levels and major incident response protocols. SMG host monthly meetings with NWAS at the Manchester Arena, as well as annual meetings to review the Arena medical plan.
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