New concussion clinic for children, youth, opens in Winnipeg

A new clinic specializing in concussions officially opened at the MTS Iceplex in Winnipeg Tuesday.

• World-class concussion centre set to open in Winnipeg

The Pan Am Concussion Program started seeing patients earlier this month.

Children and youth with concussions, who require on-going care, will be referred by the Children's Hospital.

The program expects to see up to 30 new patients under the age of 19 weekly, and it will be lead by neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Ellis.

The new space is a partnership between True North Foundation, the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Medicine and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.

Care of young patients diagnosed with concussions

Manitoba Health Minister Erin Selby said the clinic offers top-notch care.

"With school back in full swing, sports teams are hitting the field, court and ice," she said in a news release.

"For parents of a child who has suffered a concussion in the past, the biggest concern is if their child is ready to go back to school or sports. With access to some of the best doctors and research in Canada, our kids will get the care they need to safely get back to the sports and activities they love."

Concussion experts at the clinic will treat the concussion, develop a plan of care and monitor the child's recovery.

"The primary goal of this program is to elevate the standard of care for all children and adolescents with concussion and traumatic brain injuries,"said Dr. Michael Ellis, the neurosurgeon leading the clinic.

"These patients have unique needs and this program will allow those needs to be met by those physicians and health-care professionals with the highest levels of training in traumatic brain injury."

Research into concussions also a focus

Research into how concussions are diagnosedand managed will be another focus of the clinic, he said.

Some of the clinic's experts will also act as consultants to the Winnipeg Jets professional hockeyteam on concussion injuries, the government said.

The clinic will also offer information on the internet aimed at parents, coaches and teachers, including:

• When and where to seek care for concussions.
• How to help children during their recovery.
• How to support children as they resume regular activities like school and sports.