The perception of medical treatment of professional athletes by the sports clubs who employ them has changed significantly over the past 30 years.
Images of older gentlemen in welly’s running onto a muddy pitch, carrying a bucket of water and a ‘magic’ sponge, spring to mind. Thankfully, the days of players with severe injury being treated by whoever was available at the time, has long gone!
However, how clubs are structured for medical treatment and rehab has changed for the better, with investment into exceptional on-site medical and rehabilitation facilities and full-time specialist doctors and other healthcare professionals becoming the norm. This allows the club to have real control of their players treatment and for team doctors to oversee treatment in-house, without delay.
As most people are aware health and social care provisions are strictly regulated, with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the General Medical Council (GMC) ensuring that the quality of care and the doctors and clinicians who are providing it is maintained to a high standard.
Should Sports Clubs Employing Doctors become a Designated Body?
The increased and improved level of treatment by full-time and self-employed staff on site and with athletes leads to a question, should Sports Clubs employing doctors become Designated Bodies? This is particularly relevant where full-time or majority time doctors are employed directly or indirectly.
Doctors working with some clubs’ work in private practice as ‘Sports Physicians’, others have roles within the NHS, or even with other sports clubs. This situation often leads to doctors arranging their own regulation away from the main employer.
This then begs another question, is it appropriate for a club doctor (working more than 50% of their time) to be completing elements of their scope of practice, appraisal and revalidation etc. away from their main employer and without the oversight of their Responsible Officer?
Currently, clubs and their contracted doctors in this situation need advice and guidance to enable them to understand their regulatory and legal responsibilities. The clubs also need to be able to efficiently implement any recommendations that have been made to the club to ensure their liability is not adversely impacted.
Are you a Sports Club in need of guidance?
If you employ or contract with doctors and would like to know more about Designated Body status and the requirements for your sports club or facility, contact us via email: [email protected] or call us on 0207 183 9544 to request a call with our Healthcare Governance Advisors to understand how the regulations might impact your organisation.
