REPORTABLE INJURY EVENTS
In order to put the appropriate support in place, it is crucial that all reportable injury events are submitted to the RFU.
These are defined as:
- An injury which results in the player being admitted to a hospital
- Deaths which occur during or within six hours of a game finishing
- Injuries in which artificial grass pitches or equipment such as sports goggles are involved.
It DOES NOT include those that attend an Accident or Emergency Department and who are then allowed home.
REPORTABLE INJURY EVENT PROTOCOL
In the event of a serious injury occurring, which fulfils one of the above definitions, after providing immediate first aid and arranging transport by ambulance to hospital, the following protocol is to be followed:
1. A club or school representative must phone the RFU Injury Reporting Helpline 0800 298 0102, or email SportsInjuriesAdmin@rfu.com as soon as the seriousness of the player’s condition is confirmed and certainly within 48 hours of the game or training session.
2. In the event of a potentially catastrophic injury or fatality the RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF) will be notified and will get in touch with the club and/or player or next of kin to confirm the injury and any immediate welfare needs.
3. You will be asked to complete and return an Injury Report Form.
4. The club/school must notify their insurance provider.
5. Record witness statements. Where a potential insurance or personal injury claim may arise, clubs and schools are advised to retain on file witness statements. These statements must confine themselves to the facts and not include opinion, hearsay or apportion or infer blame. They must be signed and dated by the person making them.
The RFU Reportable Injury Event forms are available via the RugbySafe Injury Reporting and Incident Recording Toolkit.
Following a reportable injury, the referee should also complete Referee Injury Event Form. The RFU Referee Reportable Injury Event form are available via the RugbySafe Injury Reporting and Incident Recording Toolkit.