UK-Wide Guidance for Concussion in Grassroots Sport Published

The first ever UK-wide concussion in grassroots sport guidance has been issued today (28 April). 

Using the call to action: ‘If in doubt, sit them out’, the guidelines will help people identify, manage and prevent concussion affecting players in grassroots sport.

The guidance, developed by an expert panel of domestic and international clinicians and academics in neurology and sports medicine, mean that all grassroots sports in Wales and across the UK can follow one set of guidelines to ensure consistency for players, coaches, parents, schools, National Governing Bodies and sports administrators, in situations where trained medical professionals are less likely to be routinely present. Concussion is a traumatic brain injury resulting in a disturbance of brain function.

It affects the way a person thinks, feels and remembers things. Loss of consciousness (being ‘knocked out’) occurs in less than 10% of concussions and is not required to diagnose concussion.

However, anyone who loses consciousness because of a head injury has had a concussion. Anyone with suspected concussion should be immediately removed from the field of play and assessed by an appropriate Healthcare Professional or access the NHS by calling 111 within 24 hours of the injury.