Medical Risk Assessment and Medical Plan
ST ANDREWS UNITED
THE CLAYTON CARAVAN PARK RECREATION GROUND
Medical Risk Assessment and Medical Plan
SAU – D008- Dated 1st September 2022 – Issue 5
Introduction
This document combines the Medical Risk Assessment and Medical Plan. It addresses:
- Organisation and infrastructure relating to medical matters ;
- Identifiable risks and how these are controlled;
- General provisions for medical care.
Infrastructure and Organisation
Access for Emergency Vehicles
St Andrews United’s Clayton Caravan Park Recreation Ground [CCPRG] is linked to Langlands Road and would permit direct access for emergency vehicles to the pitch and Dressing Rooms
First Aid Facilities
The principal first aid room is beside the changing room area but is directly accessible and does not require access through either dressing room or any other room.
It contains basic first aid equipment, a couch and water supplies. There are toilets within the dressing room area.
Organisation and Personel
St Andrews United (“the Club”) has an association with a Doctor for advice and guidance on all medical matters. The Doctor is in attendance for major matches (where attendance is greater than 1000 is anticipated). The club also ensures that there is at least one qualified First Aid staff member present at all matches.
There is an announcer present at every home match. This person will be located at the entrance to the dressing rooms and is the focal point for co-ordination of messages during the match. He/she will make any safety announcements and will have immediate access to a telephone to communicate with others including the emergency services to ensure expedited management of any health and safety issues.
Identifiable Medical Risks
- Injury to players
- Description
The most likely source of a medical issue is the injury to players during the normal course of the match. This can cover the spectrum of minor injury which is treated pitchside before the player returns to the game to serious injury requiring immediate intervention and hospitalisation.
Current Arrangements
The club will ensure that there is a qualified sports first-aider present at all matches. A stretcher is available in the dressing rooms which will allow removal of players from the pitch to the first aid room in the dressing rooms if the player requires assistance to leave the pitch.
The nearest accident department is at the Ninewells Hospital, which is 30 minutes from the ground under normal traffic conditions. And or Victoria Hospital. The first-aider looking after an injured player will make arrangements through the Ground Co-ordinator either to arrange transport for a player to the infirmary for further assessment or to call the emergency services if immediate medical care is required.
The risk of injury to players does not vary significantly between normal and major matches and this assessment applies to all matches.
1.3 Assessment
The current arrangements are satisfactory but it is recommended that the procedure for removal of the player from the pitch and making arrangements for onward transport are rehearsed at least annually.
Actions required
Annual rehearsal of arrangements as above
Injury to Spectators
2.1 Description
The following risk factors can be considered collectively for assessment purposes;
- Fire: There is identifiable risk in the dressing rooms, stand and social club. These are inspected by the local fire authorities and have automatic fire detection and alarm systems. The risk as assessed is small for these areas and negligible for open areas of the ground.
- Structural Failure: The identifiable source of risk is the stand structure. This is of modern structure and is regularly inspected. The risk is considered negligible under normal circumstances to slight in high winds.
- Evacuation: There is negligible risk under normal operating conditions rising to moderate in a “panic” situation in a match with a maximal capacity. This risk is mitigated because (a) unplanned evacuation is extremely unlikely (b) planned, orderly evacuation reduces the risk.
- General: There is a general risk to spectators from slips, or other accidents. This is controlled by the maintenance of the ground in good condition. The risk is proportional to the number of spectators.
Current Arrangements:
Direct injury from fire and structural failure has been reduced to acceptable levels by the inspection and maintenance required by the local authorities. In the event that there was a risk of structural failure this would be controlled by closing off the affected area of the ground or cancellation of the match.
Other risks are proportional to the attendance. The club will ensure that there are additional first aid staff present for matches where more than 500 spectators are expected. The precise arrangements will be agreed in discussions with the police, NHS and first aid suppliers.
Assessment
Arrangements are considered adequate for all foreseeable risks.
Actions Required
None.
Illnes
Description
There is general risk of illness whenever there are gatherings of people. There are no identifiable risk factors which suggest that players and spectators at a match are at greater risk of illness except the established risks that can be associated with any situation in which there is potential stress (e.g., heart attacks in those with pre-existing risk factors).
Current Arrangements:
Immediate care is the same as for physical injury. Anyone becoming ill will be made comfortable and the condition assessed by a first aider or doctor. In an emergency an ambulance will be called –DIAL 999-otherwise advice can be obtained from NHS 24 – DIAL 08454 24 24 24.
Assessment
Current arrangements are satisfactory.
Actions Required
None.
General Medical Provisions
The following personnel must be present at each home match ;
- At least one qualified sports first aider ;
- A ground co-ordinator to act as the single point of communication
Where there is an anticipated attendance of greater than 500, in addition to the above ;
- Attendance by a club doctor is advised ;
- Additional first aid provision should be provided by request from the first aid service providers.
The club doctor is responsible for advising on equipment to be present in the first aid room and in the medical bags available to sports first aiders and the sports first aiders are responsible for checking that the equipment is present and in good order.
The team must be accompanied by a sports first aider at all matches, including away matches.
DOCUMENT CONTROL –
This policy has been approved by the club Doctor, Dr Blair H Smith.
Mandatory Review Date (to be reviewed and published annually)
Review Date: 1st September 2023