“Speed, direction and level of head protection” may be used to predict brain injury following a road traffic collision, a major study has revealed.
Scientists use road collision data to improve treatments for brain injury patients
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School closures linked to children’s poor mental health during Covid-19
The mental health and wellbeing of children and young people improved after schools reopened last year, a major study has revealed.
British Sign Language to become a legally recognised language in UK
British Sign Language (BSL) is set to become a legally recognised language in the UK under new laws announced this week.
Brain injury may accelerate onset of neurodegenerative disease by up to five years, study reveals
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) may accelerate the onset of neurodegenerative diseases by up to five years, a major study has revealed.
New national employment strategy to help thousands of disabled people find work
A new nationwide employment strategy will help thousands of disabled people find work, it has been announced.
New concussion protocols to be implemented across sport
New concussion protocols will be implemented across sport in response to growing concerns that the safety of athletes is not being taken seriously.
The new rules will be developed in partnership with medical experts, player associations, and governing bodies, such as UK Sport, Sport England.
According to the Government, action will be taken to “improve understanding, awareness, prevention, and treatment of concussion” in sport at all levels.
As part of this plan, new protocols will also be implemented to identify if an athlete has suffered concussion and whether it is safe for them to return to the field.
The latest research suggests that failure to identify brain damage can lead to neurodegenerative diseases in later life, such as dementia. Professional footballers, for instance, are “three-and-a-half times more likely” to die of neurodegenerative diseases compared to the general population.
Commenting on the plans, Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “Sport brings so many physical and mental health benefits to our lives. However player safety must be absolutely paramount. Working with the sports industry it is right that we do all we can to ensure that people are as protected as possible and the risk of head injuries are minimised.
“That’s why we’re taking steps to reduce this risk and developing new, gold-standard industry protocols and focusing on emerging tech that can help build a fuller picture of the risks involved.
Laurence Geller, UK government independent concussion advisor and chairman of Love of the Game, added: “By making the game safer, we make the game better for everyone. But it’s not about changing the rules: it’s about working with experts from the medical profession, science and technology to devise protocols, knowledge, and equipment to allow us all to continue playing the sports we love.”
Click here to access the Action Plan on Concussion.
Access to Work “passports” to support disabled students find employment
New employment “passports” will help students with disabilities to find and stay in work, it has been announced.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said the scheme will help ease the transition from university into employment.
