Reading Rock Festival: a nursing perspective

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Public Health
• Event Management

Background:

• Accident and Emergency (A & E) departments in NHS Trust Hospitals operate routinely.
• The Royal Berkshire Hospital's A & E department offers a unique opportunity to support on-site medical facilities at the Reading Rock Festival.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the impact of a large-scale music festival on a local hospital's A & E department.
• To document the experiences of healthcare staff working within a festival environment.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative exploration of the festival's influence on A & E services.
• Case study focusing on a staff nurse's perspective at the festival site.

Main Results:

• The festival presents unique operational challenges and demands on the A & E department.
• Staff experiences at the festival site offer insights into event-based healthcare provision.

Conclusions:

• Large public events significantly impact local emergency services.
• Understanding staff experiences is crucial for effective event medical planning and A & E preparedness.