The aim is to increase awareness to all stakeholders within the game, as to best practice regarding medical facilities, equipment and education for medical volunteers. The WRU provides guidance and resources for all rugby activity organisers on what needs to be in place to create a fun and safe playing environment.

Medical Equipment
All clubs should endeavour to provide appropriate medical facilities and equipment to cover basic medical needs should injury occur. For guidance as to the standard and content of equipment please click on the link :- https://d2cx26qpfwuhvu.cloudfront.net/wru/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/06122035/Medical-Equipment_WEB1.pdf

Medical Facilities
All clubs should endeavour to provide appropriate medical facilities and equipment to cover basic medical needs should injury occur. For guidance as to the standard and content of facilities and equipment please click on the link:- https://d2cx26qpfwuhvu.cloudfront.net/wru/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/06121559/Medical-Facility-and-Equipment-Guide-3.8_WEB-1.pdf

Medical Education
All volunteers should complete an appropriate First Aid qualification. This can be arranged through the WRU. Once volunteer clubs have successfully completed First Aid delivery they can then progress onto the medical CPD pathway which includes:-
Medical Awareness and Strapping
Concussion & Graded Return to Play
Click the link to view the WRU guidance document:- https://d2cx26qpfwuhvu.cloudfront.net/wru/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/05161445/First-Aid-Training.pdf

Emergency Action Plan
All clubs and volunteers should devise and be familiar with an Emergency Action Plan for cases of medical emergency. This will allow for appropriate preparation and familiarisation of roles and equipment. Click the link to view the Emergency Action Plan guidance document:- https://d2cx26qpfwuhvu.cloudfront.net/wru/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/05162907/Emergency-Action-Plan-4.pdf

Concussion Guidelines
These guidelines are to assist Senior and Junior players, coaches, referees and family members to understand the importance of recognising and properly managing players with concussion.
Concussion is a brain injury - All concussions are serious - Concussion can often occur without loss of consciousness - Players with any signs or symptoms of concussion must be immediately removed from playing or training - Players must not return to play on the same day of any suspected concussion - It is recommended that all players with concussion should be referred to a medical practitioner - It is recommended that all players undertake a Graduated to Play programme - It is recommended that players should not return to full contact sport until cleared by a medical practitioner - Most concussions will recover with physical and mental rest - Children and adolescents may take longer to recover following concussion - Concussion can occur without an obvious blow to the head - Recognise and Remove players with suspected concussion to prevent further injury or in rare cases, even fatality.

Risks - Concussion can happen at any age and to anyone. However, child and adolescent players:-
Are more susceptible to concussion - Take longer to recover - Have more significant memory and mental processing issues - Are more susceptible to rare and dangerous complications including brain swelling (known as second impact syndrome), these complications can sometimes be fatal.
* Child and adolescent players are defined as under the age of 19 years old as of the 1st of September.

Graduated Return To Play (GRTP)
The WRU Graded Return to Play (GRTP) Tool guides the player through the rehabilitation stages following a concussion or suspected concussion. There are suggested activities in each stage which may be used to gradually increase the amount, intensity and/or type of exercise that the player does in order to ensure a safe and successful return to sport. Please refer to the WRU concussion guidance document and WRU GRTP Tool in the links below for information on concussion and the Graduated Return to Play Protocol.
https://d2cx26qpfwuhvu.cloudfront.net/wru/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/06140532/WRU_Concussion_Guidance_2016_English.pdf
https://d2cx26qpfwuhvu.cloudfront.net/wru/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/06140437/Poster.pdf
https://d2cx26qpfwuhvu.cloudfront.net/wru/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/07111017/19-GTRP-single-page_WEB-V9.1-1.pdf
https://d2cx26qpfwuhvu.cloudfront.net/wru/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/07111104/Under-19-GTRP-single-page-V9.1_PRINT1-1.pdf