A knock to the head during a weekend football match, a netball collision, or a fall off a bike can leave parents and coaches unsure what to do next. Do you head to the emergency department, book in with the GP, or look for a clinic that specialises in concussion?
The truth is that all three can play a role, and understanding when each one is appropriate can help families across the Mornington Peninsula make calmer, more informed decisions in the hours and days after a head injury.
When to go straight to hospital
Some head injuries need urgent medical attention, regardless of how mild the impact looked at the time. Hospital or emergency care should always be the first call if there are any signs of a more serious brain or neck injury.
- Loss of consciousness, even briefly
- Repeated vomiting
- Worsening headache, confusion or drowsiness
- Seizures, slurred speech or unequal pupil size
- Weakness, numbness or a suspected neck injury
- Any concern the injury could be serious
Emergency departments and hospitals are set up to rule out bleeding, fractures and other injuries that need immediate medical management. This is not something a clinic or GP can safely assess without imaging and emergency resources on hand.
The role of the GP
Once serious injury has been excluded, a GP is often a sensible next step, particularly for families who already have a trusted local doctor. A GP can provide an initial review, arrange further investigations if needed, issue medical certificates for school or work, and refer on to specialists or allied health providers such as concussion clinics when appropriate.
GPs are a valuable part of the care pathway, but most general practices are not set up to run the detailed, sport-specific concussion testing that supports a structured, staged return to activity. This is where a dedicated concussion clinic often comes in.
What a concussion clinic adds
A concussion clinic, such as our team at The Seaside Osteo in McCrae, focuses specifically on the assessment and management of concussion using structured frameworks like those from Complete Concussions (CCMI) and recognised guidelines including the AFL concussion guidelines. This can include balance testing, cognitive screening, symptom tracking and a graded, individualised plan for returning to school, work, sport or training.
Our concussion testing service on the Mornington Peninsula is designed to sit alongside, not replace, medical care from a GP or hospital. Testing and monitoring do not prevent concussion or guarantee a safe outcome, but they do support a more informed, staged approach to recovery rather than guesswork about when someone is “probably fine”.
Because our osteopaths work broadly across conditions we treat, including musculoskeletal injuries that often accompany a head knock, such as neck strain, we can also look at the whole picture rather than concussion in isolation.
Choosing the right pathway for your situation
A simple way to think about it is: hospital for urgent red-flag symptoms, GP for initial medical review and referrals, and a concussion clinic for structured, ongoing assessment and return-to-activity planning. In many cases, families will use a combination of all three over the course of a recovery.
For junior sports players across clubs in Dromana, Rosebud, Rye and the wider Mornington Peninsula, having a clear pathway matters. Coaches and club officials are increasingly expected to follow concussion protocols that involve removing a player from the field immediately and seeking appropriate assessment before any return to training or competition.
Why timing and follow-up matter
One of the most common gaps in concussion care is what happens after the first 24 to 48 hours. Initial hospital or GP review is important, but ongoing monitoring helps track whether symptoms are settling as expected or need further attention. This is particularly relevant for young athletes, whose commitments to school, sport and social activities all need to be factored into a sensible, staged return.
Booking concussion testing in the days following an injury, once emergency concerns have been excluded, allows for a baseline understanding of symptoms and function that can be tracked over subsequent visits. This supports clearer conversations between families, coaches, GPs and allied health providers about readiness to return to normal activity.
Working alongside your existing care team
Osteopathy has a role to play in concussion management, particularly where neck and upper body symptoms are contributing to headaches, dizziness or reduced range of motion. Our osteopathy team works collaboratively with GPs and, where needed, medical specialists, rather than in isolation. If you are unsure where to start after a head injury, a conversation with your GP or our clinic can help clarify the right next step for your circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
Should I go to hospital or a GP first after a head injury?
If there are any concerning signs such as loss of consciousness, repeated vomiting, worsening headache or confusion, go straight to hospital or call an ambulance. If the injury seems milder, a GP review is a reasonable starting point, and they can refer you on if needed.
Can a concussion clinic diagnose a concussion instead of a doctor?
A concussion clinic can conduct structured testing and monitoring using recognised frameworks, but any suspected serious head injury should always be assessed by a medical professional first. Concussion clinics work alongside, not instead of, medical care.
How soon after a head injury should concussion testing happen?
Once any urgent medical concerns have been ruled out, an initial assessment in the following days can help establish a baseline for symptoms and function. This is then used to track progress at follow-up visits.
Do junior sports players need a formal return-to-play plan?
Most junior sporting codes, including AFL, netball, football and basketball competitions on the Mornington Peninsula, encourage a staged, structured return to training and competition following a head injury. A concussion clinic can help support this process alongside coaches and clubs.
Does concussion testing guarantee a safe return to sport?
No. Testing and structured monitoring support more informed decision-making about recovery, but they cannot prevent concussion or guarantee a particular outcome. Every recovery is individual and should be guided by ongoing assessment.
Concussion testing on the Mornington Peninsula
To learn more or arrange concussion testing, assessment or return-to-play support, visit our concussion testing page or book an appointment online with The Seaside Osteo in McCrae.
This article is general information for Mornington Peninsula families and is not a substitute for individual medical assessment. If you suspect a concussion, seek advice from a qualified health practitioner, and call 000 if there are emergency warning signs.