Critical Information Music Festival Organisers Need to Provide to Medical Service Providers.

The provision of comprehensive medical facilities is an essential element of any large music festival site. The safety and wellbeing of everyone on a site is always a priority for organisers and the planning for medical coverage needs to be coordinated with established local medical facilities.

Music festival organisers will usually source a third-party medical service provider for their events which may include a range of medical experts and facilities to operate on a festival site. The size and type of medical services provided will depend on the size of the event and meticulous planning and coordination with local medical facilities is an essential part of the planning process. This coordination can improve response times, reduce risk and ultimately save lives. What actions do organisers need to take for seamless medial provision coverage during their event. 

Event Planning for Medical Coverage. 
During the planning phase festival organisers need to consider key statistics when considering the provision of medical services. The projected total number of festival-goers expected on a site will usually determine the coverage required. Other key demographics may be the age groups expected where younger crowds can be prone to drug and alcohol related emergencies for example. Most organisers will produce an event risk assessment that considers previous event data which will contain metrics on the expected level of drug and alcohol consumption risks. In addition, the data should indicate the number of anticipated levels of common injuries like cuts, sprains and dehydration for example. 

Licensing and Permit Applications. 
A key part of any license or permit application with local authorities will be the need for the presentation of risk assessments and plans for the coordination with local emergency services. The application will include the event dates, expected number of attendees and details of subcontracted medical services providers. The application process may also involve face to face meetings with local police, fire and medical representatives to set up coordination parameters. 

On-site Medical Facilities. 
The contracted medical service providers should be working to a detailed brief on the event received from organisers to ensure they provide sufficient converge. The placement of medical centres and first aid points requires careful planning to ensure they are located in zones that are easily accessible by everyone on a site. Some providers also despatch fully equipped ambulances that will be located in key site locations to facilitate rapid exit from the festival. Organisers need to plan their site layout to provide easy access and egress routes that are always kept clear for emergencies. Medical personnel on a site should include experienced doctors, first aiders and support staff capable of handling a wide variety of medical emergencies. In addition, they will usually have access to key equipment that may include defibrillators, oxygen, splints, wheelchairs, and medication for common conditions (EpiPens for allergic reactions). 

Local Medical Services. 
Collaboration with local hospitals and ambulance services is critical to ensure a safe and efficient response to medical emergencies. Organisers will probably have already outlined their plans for medical service provision in initial permit applications which allows local hospitals to plan for potential emergencies. The role of local hospitals is essential because they have sophisticated trauma centres that can treat emergencies beyond the capabilities of any festival site medical services. Hospitals can plan for potential high-volume admissions in the unlikely event of emergencies involving crowds which can occur at music festivals. 

Coordination. 
A key element to the provision of comprehensive medical services for any music festival is coordination with local medical providers and facilities. Local hospitals and ambulance services will need to plan potential routes to and from a festival site along with alternatives and the estimated travel times. A decision-making process and communication protocols need to be established and agreed in advance. This can help to determine the types of treatment required and whether or not a patient is in a critical condition requiring transport to hospital. In some instances, local ambulance services may provide fully equipped emergency vehicles and staff for organisers but there is likely a cost associated with this, and it will depend on resources available. 

For festival organisers planning their next events using a software management platform like Festival Pro gives them all the functionality they need manage every aspect of their event logistics. The guys who are responsible for this software have been in the front line of event management for many years and the features are built from that experience and are performance artists themselves. The Festival Pro platform is easy to use and has comprehensive features with specific modules for managing artists, contractors, venues/stages, vendors, volunteers, sponsors, guestlists, ticketing, site planning, cashless payments and contactless ordering.

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