First Aid Guidance
First Aid At London Welsh
Rugby is a contact sport and injuries, as much as we try to avoid them, are inevitable. We thus aim to ensure that every team has one or two Coaches trained as First Aiders. The First Aiders role is to assess the injury and ensure that more serious injuries are dealt with by qualified medics, which in most instances, will be by calling 999 for paramedic assistance or ambulance. Estimated arrival time is 8 minutes.
Serious Injuries must be reported:
Download, fill out and email to incident@londonwelshrfc.co.uk to assist with a prompt response also give people a phone call:
Minor injury will be dealt with and the player will probably be able to return to the game or training.
Injuries that prevent the player from continuing play/training will be assessed and treated within the clinical ability of the First Aider. Capture the details in your mobile phone an incident report should include:
- Location
- Time of injury
- Injury
- Action taken
- Whether the player went home/hospital/referred to GP
- Whether paramedical services were called.
- Whether parents/guardians or coach informed verbally.
- Report made to Chairman LWRFC minis/junior/youth or adult section leaders.
- NHS Direct 111 might also be consulted where necessary to seek advice.
- London Welsh is fortunate to have parents that are professionally qualified medical practitioners that have offered to assist in situations of more serious injury. Their contact details are included on the London Welsh First Aider List in the Team Medical Kit Bag.
Injury Reports should be completed on the day and submitted to the Club Chairman, the Minis/Junior/Youth or Adult section leaders for recording and reports of serious injuries (as classified by the RFU) will be submitted to the RFU medical services.
In instances where a spectator is taken ill or collapses, a Team First Aider who is on site will be the first point of contact. If the situation is need paramedical support, then 999 will be called for assistance and possible removal of the patient to hospital. During festivals and tournaments held at Old Deer Park paramedical services will be on site for the duration of the event. The Team First Aiders will be first point of contact to attend the player and if the situation requires more specialist help then the on duty paramedical teams should be used. The duty person in charge of medical services for the tournament must also be informed.
| Old Deer Park | Christ School, Richmond | Pools on the Park, Richmond |
| West Middlesex University Hospital, Twickenham Road Isleworth Middlesex TW7 6AF Kingston Hospital, Galsworthy Road, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey KT2 7QB West Middlesex University Hospital, Twickenham Road Isleworth Middlesex TW7 6AF Tel: 020 8560 2121 Tel: 020 8546 7711 Tel: 020 8560 2121 | West Middlesex University Hospital, Twickenham Road Isleworth Middlesex TW7 6AF Kingston Hospital, Galsworthy Road, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey KT2 7QB West Middlesex University Hospital, Twickenham Road Isleworth Middlesex TW7 6AF Tel: 020 8560 2121 Tel: 020 8546 7711 Tel: 020 8560 2121 | West Middlesex University Hospital, Twickenham Road Isleworth Middlesex TW7 6AF Kingston Hospital, Galsworthy Road, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey KT2 7QB West Middlesex University Hospital, Twickenham Road Isleworth Middlesex TW7 6AF Tel: 020 8560 2121 Tel: 020 8546 7711 Tel: 020 8560 2121 |
| Emergency Dental Treatment: Out-of-Hours | Emergency Dental Treatment: | Emergency Dental Treatment: |
| Triage Service for NW London: Tel: 0203 402 1312 or NHS Direct 0845 4647. | Triage Service for NW London: Tel: 0203 402 1312 or NHS Direct 0845 4647. Urgent care at weekends or bank holidays: Princess Alexandra Dental Unit, Kingston Hospital between 9.30am and 12.30pm. Out-of-Hours Triage Service for NW London: Tel: 0203 402 1312 or NHS Direct 0845 4647. | Out-of-Hours Triage Service for NW London: Tel: 0203 402 1312 or NHS Direct 0845 4647. |
First Aid Equipment
A defibrillator is held at Old Deer Park Bar. Please ask the bar staff to assist in locating the device mounted on the wall of the stock area behind the ground floor bar.
It is essential that first aid equipment is checked frequently to ensure sufficient quantities and that all items are usable. First Aiders should always replenish the contents of the first aid box and kit as soon as possible after use, and items should not be used after the expiry date shown on packets.
The Club has a Supply Agreement with Sports First Aid to obtain medical equipment according to RFU recommendations. If you are a first aid volunteer, speak to your team manager if you need help obtaining equipment.
For further guidance on RFU recommendations for first aid kits
Head Injuries and Concussion
A concussion is very problematic as it can be serious, its diagnosis is often not clear-cut, and also, the symptoms may appear much later – long after the player has returned home. We have had incidents where mild concussion has only become apparent two days after a head injury.
We are therefore publishing these guidance points so players’ parents can recognise the symptoms and what to do.
A concussion can be recognised:
If the player has any of these symptoms, they may be concussed:
- Headache, feeling dazed or “in a fog.”
- Balance problems, dizziness, clumsiness, slurred speech
- Hearing problems/ringing in the ears
- Vision problems
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confused, difficulty concentrating and/or remembering
- Drowsiness
- Feeling slowed down, low energy
- More emotional/irritable than usual
Some additional guidelines are attached, providing a memory and balance test that can be used to confirm your suspicions.
What you must do:
Medical advice should be sought at your nearest Accident & Emergency Department as soon as possible if there is any suspicion that a player is suffering a concussion.
If concussed, a player must not do any contact sport for a period of two weeks (perhaps less but only if medically assessed and passed fit) and then take a gradual return to play. The full guidelines that we have to follow are here:
http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/document/0067/4797/IRB_Concussion_RTP_Protocols__3_-2.pdf
Clearly, our players’ well-being is our primary concern, and your vigilance for these symptoms will be a further precaution. Please also let your team’s Head Coach and First Aider know of any suspicions of concussion or incidents.