Medical Requirements for Events and Games

For any event or Games, a volunteer is appointed as a Medical Coordinator to undertake the lead for Medical Services and he/she will also assume the role of the Athlete Protection Officer (APO). This person has the overall responsibility for the management and coordination of medical care and delivery of medical services to the athletes, coaches, volunteers, officials and those in attendance as spectators in addition to managing any alleged incidents of poor practice or abuse.

First aid services will always be provided at a minimum, with a designated area which should be clearly visible at all events. Medical teams at an event will vary in numbers from one to three or four people such as nurse, first aider, doctor or physiotherapist. The number of medical personnel and level of services will be dependent on a number of factors including the age and profile of the participants, pre-existing medical histories, type of sport, venue location and layout etc. 

The objective of Medical care at an event or Games is to provide:

• triage for medical incidents 
• treatment and management of medical incidents including non life-threatening such as cuts or abrasions and life threatening injuries and illnesses e.g. status epileptics
• referral to community based hospital services for relevant medical/surgical incidents