Committee publication · Correspondence · 19 May 2026

Letter from the Chair to Stephen Kinnock MP, Minister of State for Care, regarding the new Care Quality Commission regulations relating to medical provision at sports events, 22 April 2026

From: Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Summary

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee Chair writes to the Minister of State for Care raising concerns about new Care Quality Commission regulations for medical provision at sports events. The letter seeks clarification on scope, cost impact for small clubs and community organisations, and timeline for regulatory definitions, warning that unclear obligations risk discouraging community events.

Key findings

Stakeholders report concerns that new CQC regulations may disproportionately affect smaller, community-led, and not-for-profit sports events
Uncertainty exists about which events fall within scope, at what scale requirements apply, and whether local activities like Parkruns are included
No clear assessment has been made public of likely cost implications for small clubs and voluntary organisers
Government has indicated CQC will provide definitional clarity over the next 15 months, which the Committee views as too slow
Risk identified that unclear regulatory obligations could have unintended consequences of discouraging community events from operating

Tone

Procedural

Topics

health-regulationsports-policyvoluntary-sectorlocal-government

Key actors

Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Stephen Kinnock MP, Dr Zubir Ahmed, Care Quality Commission, Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Notable line

“I would urge the Government to provide clarity much more quickly, to ensure organisers understand their obligations and that the regulations do not have the unintended consequence of discouraging community events from taking place.”

Key Quotes

“… a number of stakeholders have expressed concerns about the potential impact on smaller events, particularly those that are community-led or run on a not-for-profit basis”
— Dame Caroline Dinenage MP · opening statement of concern about new CQC regulations

“I would urge the Government to provide clarity much more quickly, to ensure organisers understand their obligations and that the regulations do not have the unintended consequence of discouraging community events from taking place.”
— Dame Caroline Dinenage MP · calling for accelerated regulatory clarification

“… some of these definitions and clarity”
— Dr Zubir Ahmed · Delegated Legislation Committee discussion on CQC providing guidance over 15 months

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Source · parliament.uk record ↗