What Is the Purple Guide? A Must-Have for Every Event Organiser
If you’re planning any kind of public event in the [...]
If you’re planning any kind of public event in the UK—whether it’s a music festival, charity fun run, corporate gathering, or local fair—there’s one resource you need in your toolkit: The Purple Guide.
This essential document offers best practice guidance on health, safety, and welfare at events. In this blog, we break down what the Purple Guide is, how it helps with medical planning, and how you can use it to make sure your event is safe, compliant, and well-supported.
What Is the Purple Guide?
The Purple Guide is produced by the Events Industry Forum and is officially titled “The Event Safety Guide.” It offers comprehensive advice on everything from crowd management and noise control to welfare facilities and—critically—medical and first aid provision.
It’s widely used by event organisers, local authorities, safety advisory groups (SAGs), and emergency services to assess and approve event safety plans.
Why Is It Important?
Failing to plan adequately for medical cover could result in:
- Delays in emergency response
- Increased risk to public health
- Legal consequences for organisers
- Event license refusals or restrictions
By following the Purple Guide, you’re not only putting attendee safety first—you’re showing regulators and insurers that you’re committed to best practice.
Medical Provision: What the Purple Guide Recommends
One of the most useful parts of the guide for organisers is the medical provision matrix. It helps you work out how many first aiders, paramedics, or emergency vehicles you’ll need based on the type, size, risk level, and location of your event.
How to Use the Purple Guide for Your Event
- Estimate Attendance
- Include staff, vendors, and performers—not just ticket holders.
- Assess Risk Level
- Is your event family-friendly, high-energy, alcohol-fuelled, or involving physical activity?
- Match Medical Cover to Risk
- Use the Purple Guide’s matrix (or our downloadable Staffing Tool PDF) to estimate cover.
- Document Your Plan
- Include staffing levels, equipment, locations of medical tents, and emergency access points.
- Use CQC-Registered Providers
- Always ensure your medical provider is fully insured and, ideally, CQC-registered (like Halo Group).
How Halo Group Supports Purple Guide Compliance
At Halo Group, we work directly with event organisers to:
- Perform on-site or virtual medical risk assessments
- Provide tailored, paramedic-led cover
- Supply CQC-registered medical teams
- Handle documentation for SAG and licensing applications
Whether you need one medic or a full-scale response team with ambulances, we scale our services to your event and stay fully aligned with the Purple Guide.
Ready to Plan?
If you’re organising an event and want help aligning with Purple Guide recommendations, download our free staffing tool PDF or get in touch for a consultation.
📩 Email: bookings@halogroup.uk
🌐 Website: halogroup.uk/contact
Stay compliant. Stay safe. Stay professional—with Halo Group.
