Bon Secours Health system in conjunction with UPMC is delighted to announce its third autumn conference. Previous years have concentrated solely on concussion. This year sees the introduction of orthopaedic and sports injuries sessions to complement the topic of assessment and treatment of concussion. This is an ideal arena in which to launch the new Bon Secours Sports Clinics, which will build on best practice in musculoskeletal triage in the public sector to bring enhanced patient care to sports injuries in the private sector.

Conference speakers include Orthopaedic Consultants, Chartered Physiotherapists, GPs and senior sports managers and players, all experts in their respective fields. Key hot topics in the morning sessions will include
• MSK triage – how it can improve patient access and experience
• The use of robotic technology in knee surgery
• The hip replacement and the athlete
• UPMC concussion network – improving early diagnosis and treatment
• Physiotherapy assessment of the patient presenting post concussion
• Success in concussion assessment and treatment – growing this further
• Change in point of view when a player becomes a manager or physio.
The afternoon is dedicated to practical and clinical workshops with the following themes
– MSK triage in practice : the injured knee – is this an ACL injury?
– Assessment of the sporting hip
– Practical assessment tools in physiotherapy for the concussed patient
Leaders in their fields such as Dr Pat O’Neill, Prof Eric Masterson, Mr Declan Bowler, Emilie McGrath, Aoife Mc Mahon, Mr Stephen Brennan, Mairead Daly and Treacy O’Mahony will be presenting and ex Clare football manager Noelle Comyn and ex Munster Ian Dowling will be participating in discussion panels.

The UPMC Concussion Network, launched in June 2018, is a first-of-its-kind coalition of health care organisations that aims to shape the conversation about concussion injuries throughout Ireland. By providing education and access to standardised concussion testing and treatment, UPMC Concussion Network aims to create a strong public awareness of appropriate concussion management through educating athletes, parents, physicians, physiotherapists, and general practitioners on this complex but treatable injury.
According to a recent survey endorsed by the UPMC Concussion Network, 6 out of 10 adults in Ireland say they’ve received no education about the signs, symptoms and management of concussion.
• Ms Niamh Lynch, UPMC Concussion Network Clinical Lead
• Dr Enda Devitt, UPMC Concussion Network Clinical Lead
• Aoife McMahon, UPMC Concussion Network Physiotherapist