Wales international Rugby star, Rhys Patchell, has suffered a recent concussion, just days before the 2019 World Cup is due to begin in Japan, raising questions over whether he should travel with the squad.
Following this news, Return2Play’s Medical Director, Dr Barke, was invited onto BBC Wales 6pm News show to discuss how World Rugby and the HIA process tries to ensure all incidences of concussion are recognised & managed appropriately.
On Sunday 18 August 2019 Australian cricketer Steve Smith’s concussion lead to the first ever use of a concussion substitution in international test cricket.
Following a ball to the neck while batting on Saturday, Steve Smith was removed from play to undergo medical checks for concussion but was later returned to the field. The following day he was withdrawn having developed symptoms raising questions over whether he was properly managed on the day of injury.
“There will, rightly, be people questioning whether the decision for Smith to continue on Saturday was the right call. Certainly for the casual observer watching on TV it looked like Smith had sustained a head injury but he went on to satisfy his medical team, who would have used a barrage of tests, that he was well. Unfortunately we know that in some cases players appear well and then go on to develop signs and symptoms later. That is why it is crucially important that, even if players return to play, they are monitored closely as has been done with Smith. It should be noted that outside of professional sport there is no place for pitch-side “Head Injury Assessment”. Players with a suspected head injury should be removed from play and not be returned on the day of injury and until they have received medical attention.”– Dr.Barke
Meliora Medical Group’s Managing Partner, Dr Sam Barke, spoke to The Times and various online media outlets about the difficulties surrounding diagnosing concussion and the importance of ensuring a full recovery before returning to play.
There is absolutely no doubt that managing concussion properly significantly reduces risk and that is the message that needs to be pushed out at all levels of the game.– “Dr.Barke”
On February 27th 2019, Return2Play’s Medical Director, Dr Sam Barke, was invited to appear live on BT Sport’s ‘Rugby Tonight’ programme.
Dr Barke was interviewed by the show’s hosts Sara Eggan, Ugo Monye and Austin Healey, as well as guest Sam Warburton, about the growing concerns surrounding player welfare in Rugby.
They discussed Return2Play, the importance of the research into concussion being undertaken, and the fact that whilst it’s important the risks associated with Rugby are discussed, it’s also critical that the various benefits that Rugby and all sports bring in terms of physical health, mental health and personal development are further highlighted.
Return2Play have recently been awarded the esteemed prize of ‘Best Sports Medicine Company 2019’ at the 2019 Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Awards, run by Global Health & Pharma.
“We are thrilled to receive this award. It’s always nice to be recognised for the great work the Return2Play team have done to date and it’s a marker of how far the company has come since we started 4 years ago.”– Harry Black
For full details of the award winners in all categories, please visit https://www.ghp-news.com/2019-the-2019-healthcare-pharmaceutical-awards-press-release
Whether you are interested in our Sports Medicine, Schools Medicine or Lifestyle medicine services, we’d love to hear about how we can help you so please get in touch.
Wales international Rugby star, Rhys Patchell, has suffered a recent concussion, just days before the 2019 World Cup is due to begin in Japan, raising questions over whether he should travel with the squad.
