Guidelines for the immediate management of a suspected concussion

The following guidelines have been put together to support members of High Peak Netball Club in the instance where someone sustains a head injury.

For persons under 18 years of age who sustain a head injury, this policy is mandatory.

For persons over 18 who sustain a head injury, High Peak Netball club advises you follow the policy.

What is concussion?

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.  All concussions must be taken seriously as failing to do so can have serious consequences, including in extremely rare cases, death.

Head Injury Procedure

Anyone who sustains a head injury during any netball activity at HPNC will be considered to have a suspected concussion and should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM PLAY.

 (For further information, A Concussion Recognition Tool from the BMJ is found on page 3-4 of this document.)

Once safely removed from play, the player must not be returned to activity that day and until an appropriate healthcare professional has excluded concussion or the patient has completed a graduated return to activity (education/work) and sport programme.

Teammates, coaches, match officials, team managers, administrators or parents/carers who suspect someone may have concussion MUST do their best to ensure that the individual is removed from play in as rapid and safe a manner as possible.  Please note, if a neck or back injury is suspected, the player should only be moved by Healthcare Professionals with appropriate training.  

Anyone with a suspected concussion should:	Anyone with a suspected concussion should not:
• Be removed from play immediately.	• Be left alone in the first 24 hours.
• Get assessed by an appropriate Healthcare Professional or access the NHS by calling 111 within 24 hours of the incident.	• Consume alcohol in the first 24 hours and/or if symptoms persist.
• Rest & sleep as needed for the first 24-48 hours – this is good for recovery. Easy activities of daily living and walking are also acceptable.	• Drive a motor vehicle within the first 24 hours. Commercial drivers (HGV etc.) should seek review by an appropriate Healthcare Professional before driving.
• Minimise smartphone, screen and computer use for at least the first 48 hours. Limiting screentime has been shown to improve recovery.

Management of a head injury at any HPNC Activity: Roles and Responsibilities:

Officials, Coaches, Players, Captains:

• Safely remove the individual from the field of play and ensure that they do not return to play in that game even if they say that their symptoms have resolved. • Observe the player or assign a responsible adult to monitor the individual once the player is removed.

Captains and Junior Coaches:

• If player is under 18 years old, contact parent/guardian to inform them of the possible concussion. • Arrange for the player to get home safely. • Arrange for a responsible adult to supervise the player over the next 24-48 hours. • Ensure any relevant injury report form is completed and stored by the club with a copy given to the injured player. • Follow a graduated return to activity (education/work) and sport programme with an emphasis on initial relative rest and returning to education/work before returning to training for sport.

Parents, carers:

• Obtain full details of the incident. • Do not leave your child alone for the first 24 hours. • Have your child assessed by an appropriate Healthcare Professional onsite within 24 hours or by accessing the NHS by calling 111. • Monitor your child for worsening signs and symptoms of concussion for at least 24-48 hours. • Encourage initial rest/sleep as needed and limit smartphone/ computer and screen use for the first 24-48 hours. • Inform school/work/other sports clubs of the suspected concussion. • Support your child to follow a graduated return to activity (education/work) and sport programme .

Players:

• Stop playing/training immediately if you experience any symptoms of concussion. • Be honest with how you feel and report any symptoms immediately to your coach, medic and/or parent. • Delays in reporting and underreporting of symptoms have been associated with a longer recovery and delayed return to activity and could risk incomplete recovery of the brain. • If you have continuing symptoms, do not return to training or sport activities until evaluated by an appropriate Healthcare Professional. • Inform your school/work/sports clubs. • Follow the graduated return to activity (education/work) and sport programme. • During training and matches always watch out for teammates and encourage them to be honest and report any concussion symptoms. • If you question whether another player may have symptoms of concussion, report this to the coach, match official or appropriate Healthcare Professional.