MAI-89 Response Accepted AI-assessed

CQC regulation of event healthcare standards

Recommendation

That standard needs to be regulated and enforced. The Care Quality Commission is the appropriate body to provide regulation and enforcement. The Department of Health and Social Care should give urgent consideration to making the necessary changes in the law to enable the Care Quality Commission to become the regulator for this sector.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the government's March 2023 acceptance, this recommendation was accepted. According to the gov.uk progress report (2026-02-27), as of February 2026, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) had concluded consultations on changes to Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulations and published its response in December 2024. According to the gov.uk progress report (2026-02-27), DHSC continues to engage with stakeholders and government departments on plans to remove exceptions to enable CQC regulation of the event healthcare sector.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, mainquiry.dac.grid.civilservice.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
UK-wide
Response
Accepted
Accepted UK Government
03 Nov 2022

The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to implement improvements. The response committed to reviewing interoperability arrangements between emergency services and strengthening joint training and exercising protocols for major incidents.

Read Full Response
Progress Timeline
Official Report
27 Feb 2026

Government progress update: The Department of Health and Social Care has concluded the consultations on changes to Care Quality Commission's regulations and published its response to these in December 2024. DHSC continues to engage with stakeholders and relevant government departments on plans to remove the exceptions to enable CQC to regulate event healthcare at temporary events and sports venues effectively.

Source
Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

Reasonable Progress
14 Nov 2025
Cabinet Office Other

Government published formal Manchester Arena Inquiry recommendations dashboard on GOV.UK (14 November 2025) tracking all 149 recommendations with implementation progress updates.

Manchester Arena Inquiry recommendations dashboar… View Source
Reasonable Progress
03 Apr 2025
UK Parliament legislation

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent 3 April 2025. Creates two tiers: Standard Duty (200-799 capacity) and Enhanced Duty (800+). SIA will be regulator. Not yet in force -- at least 24 months before enforcement (expected April 2027).

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 View Source
Reasonable Progress
05 Jun 2023
National Police Chiefs Council Other

NPCC, Counter Terrorism Policing and College of Policing provided comprehensive updates to Sir John Saunders demonstrating "continued drive to improve collective response to terrorist incidents."

View detailed findings

Representatives working with UK Intelligence Community to address closed Volume Three recommendations. Cross-government monitoring ongoing.

NPCC Monitored Recommendation Hearings Update View Source
Source
Inquiry Manchester Arena Inquiry
Report Manchester Arena Inquiry: Volume 2: Emergency Response 03 Nov 2022
View Source
Responsible Bodies
Department of Health and Social Care Primary
Themes & Tags
Quality and safety oversight Legislation Regulation & Licensing
Recommendation age 3.4 yrs
Last formal update 27 Feb 2026