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A summer of cricket: prospective evaluation of all contacts with medical services at Edgbaston cricket ground during summer 2009

Objectives Crowd contact rates with medical services at cricket matches are unknown. The aim of this study was to detail every contact made with medical services at an international test cricket ground, whether medical or not. Methods Prospective, observational study of 22 matches, from county to international level, over the 2009 summer cricket season at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham, UK. Results Four hundred and forty-four contacts from 22 matches attended by 183 387 spectators produced an incidence rate of 24/10 000. Nearly three-quarters of contacts were male (74%, n=325) and the mean age was 36 years (95% confidence interval 35–38 years). Contact rates increased with crowd size (Pearson's coefficient 0.877, P<0.001). The majority of the presentations were for new illness or injury [262 (59%)]. There was a high proportion of ‘opportunistic’ presentations [111 (25%)], which included advice or treatment for existing wounds or injuries, requests to use medical facilities (e.g. injecting insulin) and nonmedical contacts (e.g. repair of clothes). Eighteen patients were either sent home directly, to a minor injuries unit or to hospital. Seven ambulance transfers to hospital were required [2% (7/444)]. Conclusion Contact rates with medical services at cricket matches were high (24/10 000 spectators), probably because of longer and multiday events. Match day services are often used for opportunistic and nonmedical contacts at large sports stadia, which produced nearly one-quarter of contacts over a summer of cricket at Edgbaston. This study adds unique and comprehensive data of medical requirements for crowds at all-day and multiday events.