Marches Ambulance Service

24/02/2026

There’s been a lot of conversation recently about event medical regulation changes and the Purple Guide updates.

They are not the same thing.

The Purple Guide sets out recognised good practice for planning medical provision. Regulation determines which healthcare activities require statutory oversight. Both matter but they serve different purposes.

Right now:
• The Purple Guide 2026 updates are in force
• Regulatory reform is proposed for April 2026
• No new law has yet commenced

The most sensible approach for organisers is calm, proportionate planning, not reaction.

We’ve summarised the regulatory position here:https://marchesambulance.co.uk/event-medical-regulation-changes-2026/

23/02/2026

𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 & 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 – 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽

The Care Quality Commission confirms there are exemptions from registering for Treatment of Disease, Disorder or Injury (TDDI) under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

These include treatment:
Provided at a sports ground or gymnasium
Delivered through temporary arrangements for a sporting or cultural event
Limited to the duration of that event

These exemptions exist.

However, they relate to treatment delivered within the context of the event.
They do not automatically extend to operating an organised ambulance transport service.

Transport Services is a separate regulated activity.

If an organisation:
Assesses a patient at an event
Places them in its own ambulance
Conveys them offsite as part of its service
Registration for Transport Services is normally required, even if on-site treatment falls within an exemption.

The key point:
The venue does not determine regulation.
The activity does.

For organisers and SAGs, it is entirely reasonable to ask:
Which regulated activities are you registered for?
Does your service include offsite ambulance conveyance?

That’s not confrontation.

That’s due diligence.

23/02/2026

Huge congratulations to Helen on successfully completing her FREC 4 qualification 👏

This is a fantastic achievement and a significant step forward in her clinical development within the pre-hospital care environment. As one of our Welfare Officers, Helen already plays an essential role in supporting both our teams and members of the public at events and this qualification further enhances her capability and scope within the field.

We are proud to support continual professional development across all roles within Marches Ambulance Service, and Helen’s commitment to expanding her skills is a great example of the standards we strive to uphold.

Very well done Helen, thoroughly deserved!

23/02/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜𝘀 𝗧𝗗𝗗𝗜 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀?

One of the most common areas of confusion in event medical provision is Treatment of Disease, Disorder or Injury (TDDI).

Under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, organisations delivering healthcare in England may be required to register with the Care Quality Commission for TDDI.

The key test is not where care is delivered, it is what care is being delivered.

TDDI registration is generally required where an organisation:
Clinically assesses and treats illness or injury
Supplies or administers prescription-only medicines
Operates under Patient Group Directions (PGDs)
Makes discharge or non-conveyance decisions
Provides structured clinical observation
Holds medicines as part of an organised service

It is not enough to say, “We have a paramedic on site.”

If healthcare treatment is being delivered as part of an organised servicee, rather than incidental first aid, registration is likely required.

The setting (festival, racecourse, football ground) does not determine the regulatory position.

The activity does.
For organisers and Safety Advisory Groups, a reasonable question to ask is:
“A𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨?”undefined

That protects patients and it protects commissioners.

21/02/2026

⚽🚑 Marches Ambulance Service On Tour 🚑⚽

Today we hit the road with Hereford FC as they played their “home” fixture at Redditch United F.C..

Different ground. Same standards. Same commitment.

Our Doctor-led team delivered first-class medical cover from first whistle to final minutes, professional, proactive and fully integrated with matchday operations, exactly how it should be done.

These away “home” fixtures bring additional logistics and planning, but that is where we thrive. Advance prep, clear command structure and experienced clinicians on the ground means seamless delivery every time.

Proud to stand behind the Bulls wherever they play.

🚑⚽

20/02/2026

“First Aid” vs “Healthcare” at Events: Where Regulation Changes

Many organisers assume event medical provision is simply “enhanced first aid”.
Sometimes it is.

But the regulatory position changes when activity moves from basic first aid into regulated healthcare.

If a provider is:
- Assessing, diagnosing or treating injury or illness
- Administering prescription-only medicines
- Delivering structured clinical care
- Providing ambulance conveyance
… this may amount to regulated activity under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

In those circumstances, registration with the Care Quality Commission is usually required, except where a defined exemption applies (such as certain temporary sporting or cultural events).

The key test is always the scope and nature of the activity, not simply the setting.

That means:
✔ The provider must be registered for the regulated activities they are carrying on
✔ Governance and medicines systems must meet statutory standards
✔ Accountability sits with the organisation, not just the individual clinician

It is not enough to simply “have a paramedic on site”.

Event organisers should ask:
Are you CQC registered?
Which regulated activities are you registered for?
If relying on an exemption, how does your service remain within it?

This protects the public and protects you as the commissioning body.

19/02/2026

Our Recruitment day is now full!!

The response has been fantastic and we’re looking forward to meeting everyone who has secured a place!

For those who weren’t able to secure a space this time — don’t worry. We will be holding further recruitment opportunities and continuing to expand our team throughout the year.

If you’re interested in working with a CQC-regulated ambulance service, keep an eye on our page for upcoming announcements 👀

Thank you for the incredible interest in joining Marches Ambulance Service 💙🚑

18/02/2026

Our team was onsite last night at Sixways Stadium providing crowd and player cover for Hereford FC!

Brilliant result and fantastic support from the bulls fans!

17/02/2026

🚑 REMINDER – OPEN RECRUITMENT DAY 🚑

Our Open Recruitment Day at Marches Ambulance Service is happening this Sunday 15th March at Benedict Court, Leominster (HR6 0QF).

If you’re considering working in event medical, patient transport or clinical roles — this is your opportunity to come and meet the team, ask questions, and explore what working with a CQC-regulated service looks like.

We’re recruiting:
• Qualified First Responders
• Student Paramedics
• Student Nurses
• Emergency Care Assistants
• Technicians
• Nurses (A&E experience)
• Paramedics
• Advanced Care Practitioners

✔ Meet the team
✔ On-the-day interviews
✔ Ongoing event & clinical opportunities

If you’re attending, please complete our short pre-booking form so we can prepare for the day:

👉 https://forms.gle/6yNrJ523XYVULDnLA

Bring your CV, photo ID and any relevant certificates.
We look forward to meeting the next members of the Marches team 💙🚑

13/02/2026

Big shoutout to our Trainee First Responders today 👏🚑

They tackled a tough training scenario where a security vehicle had crashed into a structure, trapping two bystanders. It was noisy, pressured and deliberately challenging… and they absolutely stepped up.

Scene safety sorted ✔️
Clear communication ✔️
Calm casualty care under pressure ✔️

Solid teamwork and good decision making. That’s what we want to see.

We are really proud of the way they handled it. Every exercise like this builds confidence and gets them one step closer to being deployment ready 💪

Well done all 👏

🚑

13/02/2026

Massive congratulations to Cohort 3 of our Trainee First Responders who have now successfully completed their FREC3 qualification.

They’ve put the hours in, tackled the scenarios head on, and proved themselves under pressure. From initial assessments through to final practicals, the standard has been strong throughout. It’s not an easy course!

We’re proud of the commitment, resilience and teamwork shown by every single one of them.

Welcome to 👏🚑

UK Ambulance Humour

09/02/2026

𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗠𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there is a sensible way to work it out.

Our knowledge base article explains how to assess risk and decide on the right level of medical cover for your event.

👉 https://marchesambulance.co.uk/how-much-medical-cover-does-my-event-need/

How much medical cover does my event need? This UK guide explains how medical risk is assessed, what factors matter, and how to plan proportionate event medical cover.