Christopher BarrettSir John Saunders, chairman of the Manchester Arena Inquiry, has issued a series of recommendations for the emergency services, security operatives and venue operators in Volume Two of his report on the emergency response to the May 2017 terrorist attack.
Among Saunders’ findings is that the Manchester venue did not have an adequate healthcare provision. The inquiry recommends that venues of a similar size have a suitable number of adequately trained and equipped medical staff.
It says the Home Office should consider whether the requirement for adequate healthcare provision at events is a topic that should also be addressed by Protect Duty.
The report also recommends that the Security Industry Authority should take steps to encourage the security industry generally to ensure that even those members of staff who do not require a licence from the Security Industry Authority develop skills in basic trauma care.
It also made a number of recommendations to Manchester Arena (now AO Arena) operator SMG, now trading as ASM Global following the merger with AEG Facilities. Among them is that SMG should review its processes to ensure that it shares with Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, British Transport Police and North West Ambulance Service its emergency response plans and policies for dealing with an incident at the arena. It suggests the company apply this approach more generally to its operations.
Saunders said the venue operator’s healthcare provider should have a strong working relationship with the local ambulance service and adequate staffing and skill levels for every event. He also recommends the venue operator review its approach to the provision of healthcare service equipment at the arena to ensure that adequate equipment is always available.