MPs to question major sporting organisations on managing concussion in sport

Sporting organisations responsible for supporting athletes face questions on the management of head trauma in sport. The DCMS Committee’s inquiry into concussion in sport is examining the links with dementia and the calls for changes to be made in sport in this area. MPs will explore the medical advice given to sportspeople at all levels, how organisations mitigate risks and how head injuries sustained through sport are treated, including questions to UK Sport chief executive Sally Munday and NHS England’s clinical lead on dementia Professor Alistair Burns CBE.

Distribution of Covid-19 support to grassroots sports will be explored in the third panel, with evidence from Sport England and sportscotland chief executives. As part of the inquiry on sport in our communities, MPs will explore the sustainability of community sport, with questions around funding, the cost of facilities, encouraging participation and governance.

Witnesses

Panel 1, from 10.00:

• Professor Alistair Burns CBE, National Clinical Director for Dementia and Older People’s Mental Health, NHS England

Panel 2, at approx. 10.45:

• Dr Niall Elliott, Head of Sports Medicine, sportscotland
• Dr Rod Jaques, Director of Medical Services, English Institute of Sport
• Sally Munday, Chief Executive, UK Sport
• Phil Smith, Director of Sport, Sport England

Panel 3, at approx. 11.30:

• Tim Hollingsworth OBE, Chief Executive, Sport England
• Stewart Harris, Chief Executive, sportscotland

Further information:

- UK Sport, Sport England and English Institute of Sport are non-departmental public bodies of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. sportscotland is a non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government.

- Previous evidence sessions on concussion in sport

- Previous sessions on sport in our communities