Highland doctor targets sport concussion danger
AN NHS Highland doctor is calling for greater recognition of the seriousness of concussion in sport.
Dr Jonathan Hanson believes that raising awareness of the issues around concussion will help to ensure that people can take part in sport more safety – and enjoy the many health benefits it brings.
Dr Hanson will be underlining the point as one of the speakers at a seminar on the pitch-side and primary care management of concussion, to be held in Aberdeen later this month. The seminar is part of a sports and exercise medicine course by the University of Aberdeen.
"Head injury in sport is certainly a hot topic these days and I hope that the seminar will contribute further to raising awareness of concussion and the problems associated with it," said Dr Hanson.
"Concussion is a major problem that is under recognised and must be taken seriously by parents, teachers, sports people, administrators and medics, and the seminar aims to address this."
He added: "Exercise is the single most important thing people can do to help their health and we need to encourage more people to exercise and participate in sport safely if we are to address the ticking timebomb we face in terms of health issues such as obesity and diabetes."
Dr Hanson, who graduated from Aberdeen University, was a member of the Team GB medical team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is team doctor for the Scotland ’A’ rugby squad, resuscitation physician for the Scotland rugby squad and doctor for the Team GB mountain running squad.
But it’s his particular interest in sports concussion that will be the focus of his Aberdeen talk.
Dr Hanson explained that there had been a number of high-profile cases involving concussion in recent times.
In the United States, the National Football League has been involved in a multi-million dollar compensation case for former American footballers who have had early-onset dementia.
Last year, the first death in Northern Ireland, and probably in the UK, due to second impact syndrome was recorded at the Belfast inquest of a 14-year-old rugby player. The teenager’s father, Peter Robinson, has become an impassioned campaigner on concussion.
In football, there was recent controversy over Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris being allowed to play on despite having been concussed.
Dr Hanson’s own sport of rugby has also been heavily involved in the subject, with the Scottish Rugby Union having been leading the way in raising awareness and with the International Rugby Board researching the use of ‘concussion bins’, which would allow a player with suspected concussion to leave the pitch for assessment, with a temporary replacement taking the field.
Dr Hanson added: "The Scottish Government has issued an excellent document to every sports club in the country. It’s called ‘Sports Concussion’, and has the sub-heading ‘Concussion can be fatal’.
"Sports concussion is not a minor issue, which is why it is vital that we raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of concussion and of the best practice guidelines on dealing with head injury in sport."
His talk, ‘Concussion – who has the responsibility?’, will be delivered in Aberdeen Sports Village on 25th March.
