Search and rescue teams ‘at risk from new CQC law’

The new law is an amendment to the Health and Social Care Act 2008 set to come into force in September.

Following the Manchester Arena Inquiry, there was a recommendation, external to change the law so the CQC would oversee healthcare at sporting venues, gyms and temporary healthcare at major events.

The recommendation was to regulate treatment of disease, disorder and injury, not including first aid.

The Department of Health and Social Care said the aim was to strengthen oversight and protect public safety.

The CQC closed a consultation on the proposed amendment in June and said it would share the results soon.

The consultation had been centred on the implementation of registration for search and rescue groups, rather than any exemption, the CQC said.

The commission said the decision to exempt search and rescue teams would have to come from the Department of Health and would likely require a legislative change.

There will be a 15-month period where providers can register and where CQC process registrations before regulation becomes enforceable.

The provisions to allow registration will come into force on 7 September 2026.

The regulation will come into effect for purposes of regulatory assessment from 6 December 2027.

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