Rowan’s Law (concussion safety): removal-from-sport and return-to-sport protocol requirements

Advisory Alert

October 5, 2022

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To: Local Health System Partners

FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION

Update to Rowan’s Law: removal-from-sport and return-to-sport protocol

This Advisory Alert provides information specifically about Rowan’s Law with respect to the removal-from-sport and return-to-sport protocol requirements that came into effect on January 1, 2022.

In 2018, Ontario passed concussion safety legislation, called Rowan’s Law, to help protect amateur athletes in sport (public and private clubs, post-secondary institutions, and municipalities) and school settings across Ontario. Furthermore, on January 1, 2022, Rowan’s Law set out requirements that if a student/athlete has sustained a concussion, or has a suspected concussion, they must be removed from participating in their respective sport. This includes removal from training, practice, and competition. The student/athlete can only return-to-sport after they have been medically assessed and cleared to return to training, practice and competition by a physician or nurse practitioner. The obligation rests with the student/athlete or parent/guardian (if the student/athlete is under the age of 18 years) to provide proper documentation to the school or sport organization when the student/athlete is medically cleared to return-to-sport.

Screening tools to assist primary care providers in making decisions about concussion care can be used in conjunction with information obtained during your patient assessment and with your clinical knowledge, and expertise.

For more information on concussions and resources including patient assessment tools, sample medical assessment and clearance letters, please visit Rowan’s Law: Information for health care providers (Government of Ontario).

Additional information

For general information regarding concussions, call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200), ext. 513.

Sincerely,

Original Signed By

Dr. Penny Sutcliffe
Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer

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This item was last modified on October 6, 2022