Originally Posted by
Sniffer
From today's Indo....
FITTINGLY, given recent tragic events, Alan Byrne, the FAI's progressive medical director, is organising a pilot health programme for four eircom League clubs. Under the scheme, each club -- to be selected at random -- will get a defibrillator and six personnel trained in basic life support.
The programme, endorsed by the FAI and certified by the Irish Heart Foundation, is for all 22 clubs to have a defibrillator, complete with trained staff, in place for 2008.
Byrne has also organised the first seminar for the 22 doctors attached to eircom League clubs. The seminar, on September 25, will cover the medical regulations and the new UEFA guidelines relating to the medical care of players, particularly in relation to heart health.
For 2008, all first team players in the eircom League must have a proper medical history including a cardiological examination and a resting ECG (Electro cardiogram). The qualifiers for next year's UEFA competitions must ensure all players undergo an echocardiogram.