The Great Britain Cycling Team Medical Facility

On this page

• Overview
• Assessing needs
• Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
• How staff, teams and services work together
• Supporting people to live healthier lives
• Monitoring and improving outcomes
• Consent to care and treatment

We looked for evidence that staff involved people in decisions about their care and treatment and provided them advice and support. Staff regularly reviewed people’s care and worked with other services to achieve this.

This is the first inspection for this service since its registration with CQC. This key question has been rated as Outstanding.

This service scored 96 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The Great Britain Cycling Team Medical Facility (Medical Facility) consistently applied an evidence-based, high-quality approach to assessing and reviewing riders' physical and psychological health needs.

When riders entered the world-class programme, the medical team introduced them to the service as part of their induction. Riders completed a comprehensive medical questionnaire and underwent a holistic medical review, which included Pre-Participation Cardiac Screening (PPCS) with a specialist at Liverpool John Moores University. If required, they also received a respiratory health assessment using a UK Sports Institute (UKSI) tool, developed with a leading respiratory consultant from the Royal Brompton Hospital.

The medical team developed clinical templates to ensure assessments and treatment plans were evidence-based and person-centred. These templates became exemplars and were adopted by medical teams in other sports. Clinical records demonstrated that care was provided in line with current guidance.

The medical team did not manage long-term conditions; this responsibility remained with the rider’s GP. However, especially for para-riders, the team recognised the importance of understanding prescribed treatments and medications. With consent, they liaised with riders’ GPs to develop effective treatment plans tailored to individual needs.

When the medical team identified that riders required additional medical care or treatment, they referred them directly to specialists and collaborated with those specialists to develop person-centred treatment plans that supported riders in maintaining or returning to peak performance without compromising their wellbeing. Specialist support was available for both physical and mental health conditions.

The medical team led advancements in female rider health, particularly in assessing and supporting riders who continued to train and compete during pregnancy, and those returning postpartum.

They also pioneered the development of concussion protocols, which are embedded across Great British Cycling (GB Cycling). The impact of these protocols has led to a culture shift in the response to falls or collisions, and both riders and coaches understand the importance of tailored treatment plans for safe recovery as a result.

The medical team met twice weekly to review all riders with treatment plans, ensured plans were up to date, and communicated any changes clearly.

Staff consistently used evidence-based approaches to deliver high-quality care. Leaders and staff actively encouraged the use of innovative and new methods in planning and delivering riders' care and treatment.

Staff and leaders kept up to date with research and proactively learned about new and innovative evidence-based approaches. They also shared learning and developed evidence-based treatments to improve riders' health and well-being.

Leaders published work that was later adopted in both professional and grassroots sports, particularly in areas related to concussion and female health. The team also developed evidence-based clinical tools, which became widely used across sports medicine.

The medical team worked closely with the independent clinical governance board to oversee their work and the development of new treatment plans for riders, especially when those plans involved innovative approaches. They ensured all work was carried out in line with legislation.

Where possible, the service also contributed to the development of best practice and clinical governance with other agencies.

The medical team and the wider GB Cycling team collaborated fully to plan and coordinate riders' care and treatment. Staff tailored arrangements to reflect individual circumstances and preferences, and they reviewed these frequently as part of a multidisciplinary approach. They considered riders' physical and mental health equally alongside their performance goals.

Riders, coaches and medical staff confirmed that rider well-being was a fundamental part of the world-class programme developed by GB Cycling, and that the medical team played a central role in the team’s cycling success. Staff and colleagues described a positive culture of high challenge and high support across disciplines, within an environment that fostered psychological safety.

Staff committed to working collaboratively and found innovative and efficient ways to deliver more joined-up care and support, helping riders to stay well and recover effectively.

The service took a proactive approach and collaborated consistently with riders and the wider GB Cycling team to manage their physical and mental health and wellbeing. Staff focused strongly on empowering riders to maximise their ability to manage their own health, care and wellbeing needs, alongside their performance goals and aspirations. The service made clear that health and wellbeing were fundamental to the world-class programme, and this formed a core part of both the induction and the ongoing review of riders’ health needs.

Staff across Medical Facility and GB Cycling, along with external partners, collaborated exceptionally well to support riders in managing their health and wellbeing. The provider also ran monthly health promotion campaigns for riders and staff.

The medical team worked closely with coaches and riders on concussion and saddle health education, encouraging riders to be open with coaches when they needed medical support. Riders were empowered to simply say, “I can’t sit comfortably,” to indicate they needed to see the medical team. As a result of work established by the medical team, riders’ coaching plans now include individual amendments that may be required during a rider’s menstrual cycle.

The medical team, coaches and riders also described a culture shift in responding to concussions. They told us, “Carry on riding is no longer a badge of honour.”

The service monitored all riders' care and treatment to drive continuous improvement. Staff actively tracked riders' progress during twice-weekly multidisciplinary meetings and amended treatment plans where needed to achieve the best possible outcomes, supporting riders to maintain peak health and fitness wherever possible.

The service informed riders about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. Staff understood and applied legislation relating to consent. They clearly recorded capacity and consent.