Newquay Gig Championships

Executive Summary

Coast Medic Ambulance Ltd provided shore-based medical cover for the Newquay Gig Championships, delivering a structured, clinically governed event medical service designed to manage the predictable risks associated with high-intensity coastal sport, large public attendance, variable weather exposure, and time-critical emergencies. By deploying appropriately skilled clinicians, a clearly defined triage and treatment pathway, and ambulance resources capable of rapid escalation, Coast Medic Ambulance supported event continuity, reduced pressure on local NHS services, and ensured a safe experience for competitors, organisers, and spectators.

Background and Event Requirements

The Newquay Gig Championships attracts rowing clubs, support crews, families, and spectators to a dynamic coastal environment. The event combines strenuous athletic activity with maritime conditions, creating a clinical profile that typically includes:

• Musculoskeletal injuries (sprains, strains, suspected fractures) from rowing exertion, slips/trips on slipways, and manual handling of boats
• Head injuries and facial trauma from falls, equipment handling, or crowd movement
• Environmental exposure including cold stress, heat illness (depending on conditions), dehydration, and wind chill
• Medical presentations such as asthma exacerbations, chest pain, syncope, hypoglycaemia, and seizures
• Time-critical emergencies requiring immediate resuscitation capability and rapid transfer into statutory pathways

Coast Medic Ambulance was commissioned to provide ashore medical cover that would be visible, accessible, and clinically robust—balancing rapid response with appropriate on-site treatment to minimise unnecessary ambulance conveyance.

Objectives

1. Deliver a safe, professional, shore-based medical presence with clear points of access for competitors and the public.
2. Provide early clinical intervention and decision-making to reduce avoidable ED attendance and ambulance calls.
3. Maintain event continuity by managing incidents promptly and discreetly where clinically appropriate.
4. Ensure escalation readiness for life-threatening presentations, including resuscitation and ambulance transfer.
5. Operate under strong clinical governance, documentation standards, and safeguarding awareness consistent with CQC-regulated delivery.

Coast Medic Ambulance Solution

1) Pre-Event Planning and Risk Management

Coast Medic Ambulance worked with event organisers to align medical cover to the event footprint, schedule, and high-risk zones. Planning included:

• Review of the event programme, competitor flow, and spectator density
• Identification of clinical risk areas (e.g., slipways, harbour edges, launch/landing points, crowded spectator routes)
• Definition of access/egress routes for ambulance movement and patient transfer
• Clinical pathways for:
  • Treat-and-discharge on-site
  • Referral to urgent treatment centres / GP / out-of-hours services
  • Ambulance conveyance to ED where clinically necessary
• Communications plan with event control and nominated organiser leads

2) On-Site Clinical Deployment (Ashore)

A shore-based footprint was established to provide both rapid response and a predictable location for walk-in presentations. Typical deployment elements included:

• A clearly signposted treatment point for triage, assessment, and minor injury management
• Mobile clinicians able to reach incidents quickly across the event area
• Ambulance resource to support escalation, monitored transfer, and rapid movement if required
• Clinical equipment appropriate for the event risk profile, including trauma management and resuscitation readiness (e.g., oxygen, airway equipment, AED capability, haemorrhage control, immobilisation and analgesia pathways within scope and PGDs/clinical guidance where applicable)

3) Clinical Management and Patient Pathways

During the event, Coast Medic Ambulance managed a range of presentations consistent with gig rowing and coastal mass gatherings. The approach focused on:

• Structured triage to identify red-flag symptoms and prioritise life-threatening conditions
• On-site treatment for minor-to-moderate injuries (soft tissue injury care, wound care, basic head injury screening, hydration support, observation)
• Clinical safety-netting: written/verbal advice, red flag instructions, and escalation guidance
• Appropriate onward referral to avoid unnecessary ED attendance where safe and clinically justified
• Rapid escalation to emergency transfer pathways for suspected serious injury or acute medical conditions

4) Governance, Documentation, and Safeguarding

As a CQC-regulated provider, Coast Medic Ambulance ensured that care delivery was supported by governance processes including:

• Patient documentation and incident reporting
• Infection prevention and control standards appropriate to the setting
• Medicines management processes within event scope (where applicable)
• Safeguarding awareness and escalation routes, particularly in crowded public settings
• Post-event debrief and learning capture to support continuous improvement

Outcomes and Impact

Key Benefits Delivered

• Improved safety and reassurance for competitors and spectators through a visible, professional on-site presence
• Reduced pressure on local NHS resources by treating suitable cases on-site and directing patients to the most appropriate pathway
• Faster response times within the event footprint due to dedicated clinicians positioned ashore
• Event resilience through coordinated incident management and clear escalation procedures

Operational Success Factors

• Strong coordination with event organisers and clear command points
• A shore-based model that combined treatment capacity with mobile response
• Clinicians experienced in event medicine and emergency response
• A governance-led approach to documentation, audit, and learning

Conclusion

Coast Medic Ambulance’s shore-based medical cover at the Newquay Gig Championships demonstrated a professional, clinically governed model that is well suited to coastal sporting events. By combining rapid assessment, on-site treatment, and the ability to escalate to ambulance transfer when required, Coast Medic supported a safe and well-managed event while helping to protect local NHS capacity.