FSEM Supports Concussion Guidelines for the Education Sector

The Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK (FSEM) is supporting new Concussion Guidelines for the Education Sector, produced by the Forum on Concussion in Sport and Physical Education in conjunction with the Sport and Recreational Alliance.

The guidelines have been created in order to alleviate parental concerns around the safety of school sport and to ensure a consistent and suitable management protocol is available to those working with children in the education sector.

Endorsed by an independent expert panel of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Neurology and Health specialists, the guidelines have a clear message on how to handle a suspected concussion in school aged-children and above, including the dangers of returning to play too soon. Concussion can occur during any physical activity and these simple guidelines will help those working in education to follow the four principles of concussion management:

RECOGNISE – REMOVE – RECOVER – RETURN

Dr Mike England, Fellow of the FSEM, Community Rugby Medical Director of the Rugby Football Union and Facilitator of the guidelines comments: “This has been a ground breaking initiative, with sport, education and health coming together to address a very important issue. We hope teachers will find these guidelines useful, as it is imperative that those working in the education sector know how to recognise concussion and take action. If I had to pick out one key message it would be if in doubt sit them out.”

Emma Boggis, Chief Executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance and Chair of the Forum said: “Concussion must be taken extremely seriously to safeguard the long-term health and welfare of children, young people and adults. The guidelines are based on a shared desire to help people identify and appropriately respond to incidents of concussion and we hope they will be welcomed and importantly acted upon.”

Dr Roderick Jaques, President of the FSEM comments: “We identified the education sector as a priority area through our call for a national consensus on the prevention, assessment and management of concussion. We are now delighted to see the launch of concussion guidelines to help teachers, school staff, coaches, parents and carers to be aware of the danger signs and how a suspected concussion should be managed in the absence of a trained medical professional.”

Dr Simon Kemp, Honorary Secretary of the FSEM and Chief Medical Officer of the Rugby Football Union comments: “This is a welcome and major step forward in providing practical concussion guidance to the educational sector. Only a very small percentage of all concussions occurs on a professional playing field, where there is access to trained medical staff. These guidelines will help protect the health of our age-group athletes.”

The FSEM called for a national best practice consensus on concussion, for all sectors where concussion is encountered, last year and has been working with the UK National Sporting Bodies and Medical Royal Colleges. Easy to follow guidelines, like this, could be developed to deliver UK wide concussion guidelines applicable to anyone handling a suspected concussion.

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View the Concussion Guidelines for the Education Sector at www.sportandrecreation.org.uk/concussion-guidelines

Other useful links for the recognition and management of concussion out-with elite sport:

Scottish Sports Concussion Guidance for the general public and for grassroots sports participants

Welsh Government Guidance on Concussion for School and Community Sport

NHS Choices Concussion Overview

Headway Minor Head Injury and Concussion fact sheets

RFU Concussion –  Headcase Resource

FSEM Concussion Management Position Statement

Notes to Editors:

• The Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine was launched in 2006 and is an intercollegiate faculty of the Royal College of Physicians of London and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
• The Faculty has over 560 Members and Fellows, not including medical students. There are around 94 Sport and Exercise Medicine Doctors on the GMC specialist registerThe FSEM not only sets standards in SEM but oversees research, training, curriculum and assessment of SEM Doctors, including providing revalidation services
• Sport  and Exercise Medicine consultants work in a variety of musculoskeletal and exercise medicine services across NHS primary and secondary care. They      also work within sports from the ‘grass routes’ level up to supporting international teams and athletes
• The specialty has a large scale application in improving the musculoskeletal and physical health of the general public through exercise advice and prescription. Further information about the specialty can be found in the Media & Resources section at www.fsem.co.uk

Follow FSEM on Twitter @FSEM_UK  Linkedin and Facebook  Web: www.fsem.co.uk

For further information contact Beth Cameron, PR & Communications for the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine.

Email: pr@fsem.ac.uk, Tel: 0131 527 3498, Mobile: 07551903702