Photo (L to R): MPP Catherine Fife (Kitchener—Waterloo), MPP Lisa MacLeod (Nepean—Carleton) and MPP John Fraser (Ottawa South), the three Members of Provincial Parliament who led Rowan’s Law, and Dr. Nick Reed, co-director of Holland Bloorview's concussion centre and clinician scientist in Holland Bloorview's research institute, following the passage of the law on June 7, 2016.
On June 7, 2016, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario passed Rowan’s Law. Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital proudly endorsed and encouraged provincial adoption of Rowan's Law, which marks a significant milestone as the first concussion-related legislation in Canada.
Rowan's Law, a private members' bill named after Rowan Stringer, an Ottawa teen who passed away in 2013 after suffering multiple concussions, is focused on driving awareness and education in managing concussions in children and youth. A coroner's inquest into Stringer's death resulted in 49 recommendations around head injury awareness and prevention, as well as removal-from-play and return-to-play strategies for young athletes, coaches and mentors.
"Children and youth who return to activity, including school, sports or daily life, too soon and without proper management strategies in place can experience delayed recovery, impaired performance and significant consequences to health and well-being," says Dr. Nick Reed, co-director of Holland Bloorview's concussion centre and clinician scientist in Holland Bloorview's research institute. "We need Rowan's Law to pave the way for a cohesive and aligned system of concussion education and care."
"Passing Rowan’s Law means we'll be able to marshal expert resources and create evidence-based guidelines that will help parents and their kids mitigate the risks associated with concussion," says Holland Bloorview president and CEO Julia Hanigsberg.
Holland Bloorview's concussion centre is one of the first in the world dedicated exclusively to pediatric concussion, and is a strong advocate for the proper identification, assessment and management of childhood and youth concussion. The centre focuses on three key pillars: education, research, and clinical services. In the past 18 months, the centre has provided baseline testing, Concussion & You education and clinical care to over 2,200 youth. The centre also works closely with sport- and school- communities to educate thousands of youth, parents, teachers, coaches and medical professionals across the province on concussion management and recovery.
To learn more about the Concussion Centre at Holland Bloorview, please visit:
http://hollandbloorview.ca/concussion
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is Canada's largest children's rehabilitation hospital, fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. We pioneer treatments, technologies, therapies and real-world programs that give children with disabilities the tools to participate fully in life. The Concussion Centre at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is one of the first in the world dedicated exclusively to pediatric concussion. The centre includes clinicians specifically trained in pediatric brain injury and researchers who are leading experts in the field of youth concussion care, research, and education. The Concussion Centre is focused on getting kids back to doing what they need, want and love to do after sustaining a concussion.
