Scottish Rugby contribute to new concussion guidelines

New guidance on how to manage concussion sustained during grassroots sport was launched at the Scottish sports and exercise medicine symposium at Hampden today.The Government’s Chief Medical Officer, Catherine Calderwood, and Concussion Campaigner Peter Robinson were joined by senior medics from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scottish Football Association, Scottish Rugby Union, and the sportscotland institute of sport, who have all worked collaboratively to produce the new set of guidelines.For the first time the guidance is not sport-specific, but is intended for the general public and grassroots participants across all sports, particularly where medics may not be in attendance. Clear advice is given to ensure that concussion can be recognised quickly and managed effectively from the initial injury to a phased return to play using World Rugby’s latest guidelines.The overriding message is that all concussions are serious and if in doubt, sit them out!Speaking at the launch, Scottish Government’s Chief Medical Officer Catherine Calderwood said: “As a mother and a doctor, I know that regular exercise is one of the best things we can do for our health – both physical and mental health.”Unfortunately injuries happen and when concussion occurs we cannot afford to take chances – you only get one brain. “When recognised and managed properly, the vast majority of concussed patients will recover completely, but if not recognised, or not treated properly then concussion can even be fatal. “Peter Robinson, who tragically lost his son Ben after sustaining a concussion in a school match, has helped bring sport and medicine together to produce clear guidelines for understanding and managing concussion in Scotland, and we urge parents, coaches, schools, sports organisations and health professionals to use the Scottish Sports Concussion Guidelines”.