Brain scan for Tom Watson as MP calls for standard sport concussion tests
Tom Watson has called for a level playing field across sports when it comes to assessing concussions as he highlighted the ‘hidden epidemic’ of brain injury.
The Labour deputy leader underwent an MRI scan to raise awareness of the issue, after a new report revealed that in the UK someone is admitted to hospital with a brain injury every 90 seconds.
He wants to see a protocol implemented for all sports whereby concussion tests are standardised.
He accused football’s ruling body FIFA of ‘turning a blind eye to the epidemic, and urged the sport to ‘catch up with rugby’ and ‘lead by example’ in brain injury tests.
It comes after a report showed that concussion protocols in football were ‘ineffective’ in almost two thirds of matches at the last World Cup.
West Bromwich East MP Mr Watson said today: “Under the Tories, it’s simply potluck how safe your sport is in the UK.
“If you’re lucky, you play a sport where they take concussion seriously and at a level that provides support, but for far too many people including most of the footballers in this country, their governing body is turning a blind eye to the brain injury epidemic and its serious consequences and the Government is doing nothing about it.
“Football needs to catch up with rugby and lead by example.
“A Labour Government would act decisively to bring sporting bodies together and ensure effective standards across all sports and at all levels to help stop preventable brain injuries, disabilities or deaths.
He first raised the need for better diagnostic tests in sport in Parliament in 2002, when he referred to Albion legend Jeff Astle’s injuries.
An inquest into Mr Astle’s death ruled he died from brain trauma caused by heading heavy leather footballs.
Mr Watson spent nearly an hour undergoing a scan at the University Hospital Birmingham ITM Imaging Centre.
He was accompanied by Chair of Parliament’s Acquired Brain Injury Group Chris Bryant.
Mr Bryant said: “Brain Injury, including the type suffered from concussions in sport is a leading cause of death and disability in the UK.
"It is a chronic condition with ‘hidden’ disabilities and life-long consequences yet despite this it’s only now the government are even starting to take notice of it.”
Concussion in sport has come under the spotlight in recent years after a growing number of serious incidents.
The high profile cases include the death of schoolboy Ben Robinson from second impact syndrome during a rugby match in 2011, and Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius playing all of the Champions League Final despite suffering concussion.
There are currently no UK wide standards about how concussion should be diagnosed or managed in sport, and where good practice exists it is often limited to the elite level.