Who do you call in a medical emergency on the rugby pitch?
ER 24
BokSmart Spineline – The number that looks after you when you need it the most!
0800 678 678 – the BokSmart Spineline – we hope you never have to use it, but should there ever be an emergency on the rugby field and a potentially serious head, neck or spine injured player is in need of help, this toll-free 24 hour hotline, operated by ER24, ensures the best treatment as soon as possible.
The BokSmart Spineline is a dedicated emergency helpline solely for potential serious concussion, head, neck and spine injuries sustained during a rugby game or practice. Operators manning the 0800 678 678 number will help fast track emergency treatment and medical management of the seriously injured rugby player 24 hours per day, from anywhere in the country. The toll free number is linked to a National Emergency Service Provider, ER24 who provides the necessary advice, initial telephonic screening, and will dispatch or arrange suitable transportation of the injured player to the nearest and most appropriate medical facility.
One of the great benefits of the BokSmart Spineline is that it offers assistance and support to any seriously injured rugby player, regardless of their medical aid status. The costs of telephonic screening, transportation and on scene stabilisation will be covered by ER24 should the player not have a medical aid. This sponsorship however only accounts for players with potentially serious or catastrophic head, neck or spine injuries. Where a player is covered by a medical aid, standard billing protocols will be followed where the medical aid will be billed for the on-scene stabilisation and transportation service.
Accredited service providers will perform these roles in areas where there is no direct ER24 presence, ensuring that the BokSmart Spineline can render much needed assistance in any area and any situation nationwide. These service providers will stabilise and transport the injured player to the nearest appropriate facility for further medical management. Only the most appropriate government medical facilities will be used, unless the injured player is covered by medical aid that enables private care.
A preferred hospital database is being developed over time to try and identify which hospitals will be able to handle acute injuries of this nature. This network will then facilitate an efficient and speedy response to any location where a rugby player has been injured.
This pioneering partnership between BokSmart and ER24 has been in operation for over a year now and is part of BokSmart’s multi-pronged approach towards improving and supporting South African rugby. Proudly sponsored by Absa, the BokSmart National Rugby Safety Programme is an initiative of SA Rugby in partnership with the Chris Burger / Petro Jackson Players’ Fund and focuses on injury prevention, injury management, rugby safety and performance on South Africa’s playing fields.
BokSmart Spineline is there to ensure that the most effective treatment is given in the shortest time possible; 0800 678 678 is an emergency helpline number worth memorising. Furthermore, the hotline provides rugby-related medical advice and facilitates an important life-line for doctors to use too.
BokSmart has a wealth of information on its website – www.BokSmart.com – that covers every aspect of rugby. As a thoroughly comprehensive approach, BokSmart is there to ensure that as the game grows, player performance improves, rugby becomes more enjoyable and critically, players are kept safe on the field.
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