Martyn's Law for GP surgeries & clinics.
Martyn's Law applies to publicly accessible premises used for a qualifying activity where 200+ people may be present at the same time. Health care (clinic, surgery, hospital) counts as a qualifying use — so whether your surgery is in scope comes down to how many people could realistically be present, including staff.
When are GP surgeries & clinics in scope?
A busy surgery with multiple clinics running, plus staff, can approach the 200 threshold at peak times.
The threshold counts the most people reasonably expected at once — including staff — even if that only happens occasionally. Check it against fire occupancy, ticketing or past event records, and record your decision either way. Typically the responsible person is the practice manager.
- Waiting areas, clinics and staff combine to a higher headcount than people expect.
- Procedures must account for patients with reduced mobility.
- Reception staff are usually first to notice and communicate an incident.
Evacuation
Getting people safely away from the premises.
Invacuation
Moving people into, or to a safer part of, the premises when leaving is not safer.
Lockdown
Restricting access to, or movement within, the premises.
Communication
Alerting people on the premises and sharing clear information quickly.
Get your surgery sorted in about an hour
PremiseReady walks you through the scope decision, the four procedures and a staff sign-off log — then exports a tidy evidence pack. Enforcement expected Spring 2027.
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