Rugby: Dementia and Motor Neurone Disease
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help reduce (a) motor neurone disease, b) Alzheimer's and c) chronic traumatic encephalopathy in retired professional rugby union players.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock
The safety, wellbeing and welfare of everyone taking part in sport is absolutely paramount. National Governing Bodies are responsible for the regulation of their sports, and for ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to protect participants from harm.
The Government takes the issue of head injuries very seriously. National guidance for concussion in grassroots sport was introduced in 2023, developed by international experts on concussion and acquired brain injury to better identify, manage and prevent the issue. We continue to encourage National Governing Bodies to adapt the guidance to their own sport where appropriate.
The Government remains committed to working with all relevant stakeholders to build on the positive work that is already taking place to ensure that everyone can take part in sport as safely as possible.
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