Press Releases

Email sent on behalf of Richard Glynne-Jones

 

Ladies and Gentlemen

 

IRB Medical Regulation 10 - Concussion

 

Please note that, effective from 26^th May 2011, the IRB has approved a revised Concussion regulation. 

 

Please see http://www.irb.com/newsmedia/mediazone/pressrelease/newsid=2043181.html#irb+tackles+concussion+players+first

 

The Regulation can be found at http://www.irb.com/mm/document/lawsregs/regulations/04/23/26/100518gfirbhandbook2010freg10english.pdf and the accompanying guidelines at http://www.irbplayerwelfare.com/concussion

 

The key new changes are:

 

·         Players with suspected concussion must be removed from the field of play (and not return)

 

·         Players with suspected concussion must go through a graded Return to Play (RTP) Protocol with medical practitioner clearance before a return to play

 

·         The mandatory three week stand down for the age group player is replaced by advice around a more circumspect individualised RTP protocol

 

I would ask you to make your referees particularly aware of the following extract from the guidelines, relevant when concussion is suspected and a Medical Practitioner and/or Healthcare Professional is not present:

 

“If there is no Medical Practitioner or Healthcare Professional present the Player who is injured may be disorientated and unable to make a judgement about their own condition. Fellow Players, coaches, Match Officials, team managers, administrators or parents who observe an injured Player displaying any of the signs in Table 1 after an injury event with the potential to cause a head injury or concussion

MUST do their best to ensure that the Player is removed from the field of play in a safe manner”