Serious Injuries
To enable recommendations to be made, the RFU requires a large, accurate sample of evidence as is provided in the twice yearly injury returns.

Clubs and schools must return the mandatory Serious Injury Returns as requested, twice per season, once after Christmas and at the end of the season.

The forms are self-explanatory and record injuries which keep a player off rugby activity for 21 days or more.

It is good managerial practice for all clubs to retain a record of all serious and very serious injuries.

Very Serious Injuries
Very Serious Injuries (VSI) are those injuries which may involve a claim (see Insurance Section) on the RFU Insurance Package now or in the future and may qualify for assistance from the RFU Charitable Fund (see contact name and address at end).  They may be caused in playing in a recognised game, formally training within a club or school or travelling to or from a game in which a player is to play or has taken part.  All VSIs are monitored by the Governance Committee of the RFU to ascertain the cause, effect and injury trends.  These may lead to recommendations to prevent recurrence.  

The RFU Governance Committee is developing a nationwide pastoral system so that those players who suffer tetra or paraplegia or a serious debilitating stroke may, if they so wish, receive visits from a member of the team.  A number of activities are also generated by the Governance Committee to maintain direct contact with these ex players.

Sports Injuries Administrators
The RFU Appointed a Sports Injuries Administrator (SIA) in September 1992.  He works from home and his contact details are:

Don Hall
Sports Injuries Administrator (RFU)
Jesmond Cottage, Sutton Street
Bearsted, Maidstone
Kent, ME14 4HP
Tel/Fax: 01622 630822
Email: don-pam@hall47.fsnet.co.uk

Action for Very Serious Injuries
When a Very Serious Injury occurs it must be reported as soon as possible IN WRITING to the Sports Injuries Administrator (SIA) giving details requested in the following format:

(a)   Name of player
(b)   Age of player
(c)   Address of player & telephone number
(d)   Address & telephone number of parents for U19s.  The name, address and telephone number of a relative or partner
(e)   Position played
(f)   Match details or cause of injury: i.e Bishops v Curates 1st XV or training injury or travelling injury to or from the match
(g)   Date of injury and time into game
(h)   Ground and weather conditions
(i)    Type of injury and how it occurred :
(j)   Open play - tackling or being tackled
(k)  Scrum incident - position of injured player, i.e. loose head prop, collapsed scrum etc.
(l)   Ruck incident - collapsed ruck
(m)  Maul incident - collapsed maul etc.
(n)   Line-out incident - accidental contact
(o)   Foul play incident
(p)   Action taken i.e. game stopped, doctor or paramedic called, ambulance or air ambulance to hospital
(q)   Family contacted
(r)   Any other helpful and relevant information

Witness Statements
Clubs and school are also advised to retain on file at least two adult signed and dated witness statements.

A VSI must also be reported direct to the RFU Insurers:
Marsh Sports Group (Claims)
Tel: 01892 553193      Fax: 01892 553161 

Communication
Reported injuries, which may cause permanent and total disability (PTD), will be followed up the SIA who will contact the club or school.  The SIA may arrange to visit the injured player in hospital, hopefully with a member of the family present.  He will also arrange to meet with representatives of the club's committee to outline the action needed to help the player and family.  Recommendations will include the forming of a special sub-committee within the club.  The group will be advised about a Trust Fund, insurance payouts, fund raising in general, family communication, cultivating local help i.e. councillors, Social Services, MPs etc.  RFU Charities.

A partnership of player and family, club and RFU will be created and this should help to relieve the family of some of its immediate worries.  The partnership will also help to ensure that the injured player is eventually able to enjoy a good quality of life.

Schools usually have their own well developed and defined pastoral system, and special committee or group may not be necessary.  However, if help or advice is required the SIA is available to offer it.

Rugby Football Union Charitable Fund
Note: If clubs or schools feel that the injured player and family will suffer financial hardship as a consequence of the accident an application for assistance can be made to the Rugby Football Union Charitable Fund.

Mrs Carol Collins
Administrative Secretary
Rugby Football Union Charitable Fund
41 Station Road, North Harrow, HA2 7SX
Tel/Fax: 020 8863 0220

 IMPORTANT NOTICE

THE SAFETY OF ALL PLAYERS IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE AND THEREFORE, IN ADDITION TO OTHER MEDICAL AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS, ALL CLUBS MUST ENSURE THAT, WHEREVER THE GAME IS PLAYED:

 1.    THERE IS VEHICULAR ACCESS FOR AN AMBULANCE OR OTHER EMERGENCY VEHICLE

AND

2.    THERE IS ACCESS TO A TELEPHONE TO ENSURE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE CAN BE CALLED IMMEDIATELY.

Regulation 10. Medical - Concussion

10.1. A Player who has suffered concussion shall not participate in any Match or training session for a minimum period of three weeks from the time of injury, and may then only do so when symptom free and declared fit after proper medical examination. Such declaration must be recorded in a written report prepared by the person who carried out the medical examination of the Player.

10.2       Subject to sub-clause 10.3 below, the three week period may be reduced only if the Player is symptom free and declared fit to play after appropriate assessment by a properly qualified and recognised neurological specialist. Such declaration must be recorded in a written report prepared by the properly qualified and recognised neurological specialist who carried out the assessment of the Player.

10.3 In age grade rugby the three week minimum period shall be mandatory.