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Lake Macquarie Private Hospital provides baseline brain scans for Hunter Wildfires players ahead of 2025 rugby season

Dec 09, 2024

Lake Macquarie Private Hospital has teamed up with the Hunter Wildfires rugby team to help protect the long-term health of players, with the hospital’s leading new concussion testing technology to be used to undertake baseline brain health scans of all Grade and 1st Colts players.

The baseline testing will be conducted using Lake Macquarie Private Hospital’s new NeuroCatch platform which uses EEG technology to measure key elements of cognitive function in just six minutes.

Lake Macquarie Private Hospital Director of Emergency, Dr Mark Lee, said by identifying a player’s potential health issues early on, the club could take proactive steps to address them, potentially minimising the impact on that person’s future.

“We will use the NeuroCatch platform to quickly and painlessly scan and evaluate brain function,” Dr Lee said.

“The results can potentially identify vulnerabilities and allow a team of specialists to implement strategies to help protect the long-term health of players. The scans will also be used in the future if a player suffers a head knock, by providing a comparison to quickly identify any changes that may indicate a concussion.”

This is the first time in Australian Rugby Union that pre-season, brain health scanning has been undertaken using the technology, which is currently only available in one place in Australia – Lake Macquarie Private Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED).

Hunter Wildfires Director of Rugby, Darren Coleman, said: “At the Hunter Wildfires, the welfare of our players is always our top priority. Partnering with Lake Macquarie Private Hospital to integrate their cutting-edge NeuroCatch technology allows us to take proactive steps in managing concussions and safeguarding brain health. This partnership underscores our commitment to embracing innovative approaches that not only protect but also empower our athletes for long-term success on and off the field.”

Neurologist Dr Chris Levi said the NeuroCatch offered rapid, objective insights into cognitive function which could help guide an athlete’s health management and rehabilitation strategies.

“There is an increasing emphasis on the need to objectively measure and actively manage brain and mental health in collision sports. The NeuroCatch is a new tool that provides an objective measure of brain function and is a step forward in concussion care,” Dr Levi said.

“Having baseline testing on file allows us to quickly compare, diagnose and establish a treatment plan for these players should they experience a concussion in the future.”

The NeuroCatch platform is available 24/7 to Hunter Valley locals who have experience mild head injuries and concussions in the Lake Macquarie Private Hospital ED. The ED is supported by a dedicated team of health professionals including neurologists and rehabilitation specialists on-site.