Sports-medicine concussion pathway · London
Concussion testing, SCAT6, ImPACT, VOMS and neuroimaging — the modern return-to-play pathway.
Concussion assessment combines symptom scoring (SCAT6), neurocognitive testing (ImPACT), vestibular-ocular motor screen (VOMS) and, where indicated, neuroimaging. Modern sports-medicine pathway for graduated return-to-sport and return-to-learn.
Why patients choose us
- 01
Sports-medicine specialists
We route you to a consultant sports-medicine physician or neurologist familiar with SCAT6, ImPACT and VOMS — not a generalist.
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Baseline plus post-injury
Where possible, pre-season baseline testing sharpens post-injury comparison and return-to-play decisions.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Key facts
What to know about concussion testing.
The six things that matter — the tools, what they add, and where imaging fits.
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A multi-modal assessment of suspected concussion, combining symptom, neurocognitive and vestibular-ocular testing
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SCAT6 is the international Concussion in Sport Group consensus symptom tool
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ImPACT provides a neurocognitive baseline and post-injury comparison
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VOMS screens vestibular and ocular motor function
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MRI or CT is reserved for red flags — not routine
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A structured, graduated return-to-play protocol is the standard of care
Indicative pricing
What private concussion testing costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A combined concussion clinic (SCAT6 + ImPACT + VOMS) in our network: £450–£750, findings the same visit.
| Assessment | Indicative range | Typical duration | Report turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCAT6 clinical assessment | £180–£320 | 30 min | Same visit |
| ImPACT neurocognitive test (baseline or post-injury) | £120–£220 | 30 min | Same visit |
| VOMS vestibular-ocular screen | £150–£250 | 20 min | Same visit |
| Combined concussion clinic (SCAT6 + ImPACT + VOMS) | £450–£750 | 90 min | Same visit |
| MRI brain (if red flags) | £450–£900 | 30 min | 24–48 hours |
| Return-to-play programme (staged review) | £600–£1,400 | Per stage | Ongoing |
Prices vary by clinic, whether baseline data is included, and whether onward imaging is required. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
Concussion is a clinical diagnosis — the tools decide return-to-play.
Imaging is usually normal. It’s the SCAT6, ImPACT and VOMS results — read by a sports-medicine clinician — that shape the recovery plan and the moment it’s safe to go back.
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Suspected concussion after impact?
We arrange same-week clinic assessment, with imaging only if red flags are present.
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Symptoms persisting past two weeks?
Structured vestibular and cognitive rehabilitation, with sports-medicine oversight.
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Team, school or club programme?
Pre-season ImPACT and VOMS baselines for individuals and squads.
Assessment steps
From baseline to return-to-play — what happens, in order.
One sports-medicine clinician from baseline to sign-off — usually across a series of short visits.
Phase 1 · Before injury
Pre-season baseline testing
Phase 2 · Acute assessment
SCAT6, ImPACT, VOMS ± imaging
Phase 3 · Return
Graduated return-to-play
- 01
Before
Baseline testing pre-season
ImPACT and VOMS baselines taken before the season — the reference point for any later injury.
- 02
Before
Sideline or clinic SCAT6
The international consensus symptom and cognitive tool used within minutes of a suspected concussion.
- 03
Acute
Neurocognitive testing at 48–72 hours
Repeat ImPACT compared with baseline, once acute symptoms allow accurate testing.
- 04
Acute
Vestibular-ocular motor screen
VOMS: smooth pursuits, saccades, convergence, VOR and visual-motion sensitivity.
- 05
Acute
Neuroimaging if red flags
MRI or urgent CT only if red-flag features are present — see the safety section.
- 06
After
Graduated return-to-sport plan
A stepwise, symptom-limited plan across 6 stages, guided by a sports-medicine clinician.
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After
Sports-medicine follow-up
Structured review, return-to-learn coordination with school or employer, and onward referral if symptoms persist.
Typical adult recovery: 10–14 days. Children and persistent cases: up to 4 weeks or more.
What it shows
What SCAT6, ImPACT and VOMS actually measure.
Each tool answers a different question — together they map symptoms, cognition and vestibular-ocular function against baseline.
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Symptom burden (SCAT6)
Quantifies headache, dizziness, fog, sleep and mood symptoms after suspected concussion.
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Neurocognitive impairment (ImPACT)
Verbal and visual memory, processing speed and reaction time compared with baseline.
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Vestibular-ocular dysfunction
VOMS quantifies smooth pursuit, saccades, convergence and VOR problems that drive symptoms.
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Prolonged recovery
Identifies post-concussion syndrome when symptoms persist beyond the expected window.
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Second-impact risk
Flags athletes still symptomatic — where a second impact within days can be catastrophic.
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Return-to-learn readiness
Objective markers of cognitive tolerance for school, university or desk work.
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Return-to-play readiness
The evidence base for stepping through the 6-stage return-to-sport protocol.
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Red flag: reducing GCS, focal deficit or seizure — urgent CT and neurosurgical review
Do not wait for a private slot. This is a 999 call.
Next steps
Recovery is active — not just rest.
The current standard of care combines relative rest with early, sub-threshold aerobic activity, targeted rehabilitation and a stepwise return.
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Cognitive and physical rest
The first 24–48 hours: relative rest, then a gradual reintroduction of light cognitive load.
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Graded aerobic activity
Sub-symptom-threshold aerobic exercise, titrated up as tolerance returns.
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Vestibular rehabilitation
Targeted VOR, gaze stability and habituation exercises for vestibular-ocular symptoms.
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Cognitive rehabilitation
Structured cognitive pacing, screen-time hygiene and task-graded return to study or work.
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Sleep-hygiene support
Sleep is where the brain repairs — a formal sleep-hygiene plan is part of recovery.
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Return-to-learn plan
Coordinated with school, university or employer: cognitive load stepped up with symptom monitoring.
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Return-to-play protocol (6 stages)
Symptom-limited progression through 6 stages, with at least 24 hours between stages.
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Persistent-symptom clinic referral
Onward referral to a specialist concussion clinic if symptoms persist beyond 4 weeks (adults) or 4 weeks (children).
Our vetted London network
A small panel of concussion clinics, we picked them.
Sports-medicine partners across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinic in our network.
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Consultant sports-medicine physicians or neurologists with concussion sub-specialty experience
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Formal ImPACT credentialing and VOMS training
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Structured baseline programmes available pre-season for teams and individuals
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Onward pathway to neurosurgery, neuropsychology and vestibular therapy where required
Red flags
When it isn’t a clinic appointment — it’s A&E.
Any of the features below turn a head injury from a clinic problem into an emergency. Do not wait for a private slot — call 999.
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Reducing GCS
A falling conscious level is a neurosurgical emergency — 999 and urgent CT head.
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Focal neurological deficit
Any new one-sided weakness, sensory loss or speech disturbance requires urgent imaging.
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Seizure
Any post-traumatic seizure — call 999 and go to A&E, not a private clinic.
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Vomiting
More than one episode of vomiting after a head injury warrants urgent assessment.
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Post-traumatic amnesia > 24 hours
Prolonged amnesia indicates a more significant injury — imaging and admission are usually needed.
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Anticoagulant use
Warfarin, DOAC or antiplatelet therapy dramatically raises intracranial-bleed risk — 999.
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Skull-base fracture signs
Battle sign, raccoon eyes, CSF from ear or nose — urgent CT and ENT/neurosurgical review.
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Age > 65 with mechanism
Older patients after a fall or collision have higher bleed risk — a lower threshold for CT.
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Second impact within 7 days
A second head impact while still symptomatic can cause catastrophic swelling. Do not return to contact sport while symptomatic.
Reading your report
A concussion report can look complex. It isn’t.
Whatever the results, the report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The report is written for your clinician, not for you — and that’s normal.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Mechanism, timing and history
Injury mechanism, loss of consciousness, amnesia duration, previous concussions and baseline data.
- 02 Assessment
SCAT6, ImPACT and VOMS results
Symptom score, neurocognitive composites vs baseline, and VOMS provocation scores.
- 03 Findings
Domains affected and severity
Which domains — cognitive, vestibular-ocular, sleep, mood — are affected and to what degree.
- 04 Impression
Return-to-learn and return-to-play plan
The concrete next step: the current stage, criteria to progress, and the review interval.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about concussion testing.
Quick answers on SCAT6, ImPACT, when imaging is needed, recovery timelines and return-to-play.
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What is a concussion?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a direct or indirect force to the head, causing a transient disturbance of brain function. Imaging is typically normal — the diagnosis is clinical, made on symptoms and structured testing.
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What is SCAT6?
The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool, 6th edition — the international Concussion in Sport Group consensus tool used on the sideline and in clinic to assess symptoms, cognition, balance and coordination after a suspected concussion.
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What is ImPACT testing?
ImPACT is a computerised neurocognitive test measuring verbal and visual memory, processing speed and reaction time. Pre-season baseline testing allows a meaningful comparison with post-injury results.
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When do I need an MRI or CT?
Neuroimaging is reserved for red flags: reducing GCS, focal deficit, seizure, repeated vomiting, prolonged amnesia, anticoagulant use, skull-base signs, or age over 65 with mechanism. Routine concussion does not need imaging.
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How long does recovery take?
Most adults recover in 10–14 days and most children in up to 4 weeks. Persistent symptoms beyond that warrant specialist review — vestibular rehabilitation and structured pacing accelerate recovery.
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When can I return to sport?
The graduated return-to-sport protocol has 6 stages, each requiring at least 24 hours symptom-free before progressing. Full return to contact usually takes a minimum of 7–10 days once symptom-free — a sports-medicine clinician signs off each stage.
Sources
Guidance this page draws on.
- Concussion in Sport Group. SCAT6 and consensus statement (Amsterdam 2022).
- Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK. Concussion guidance.
- Rugby Football Union. Head Injury Assessment (HIA) protocol.
- American Academy of Neurology. Sports concussion guideline.
Reviewed by Pulse Atlas Editorial Board, . Last reviewed 2026-07-30. Next review 2027-07-30. Reading time ~6 min.
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In practice, in London
Booking concussion testing privately in London — what actually happens
With concussion testing, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. The wait for concussion testing on the NHS depends heavily on where you live and how urgently the referral is graded. Central and West London private clinics can normally book within a week, with imaging or a procedure slot to follow shortly after. It’s worth being honest about the reason for going private: usually it’s time, not a fundamentally different test.
Once you’re in the private system for concussion testing, the pace picks up noticeably. Consultant slots run to time, imaging is usually available in the same building or a short walk away, and the report comes back typed and detailed. It’s the coordination that tends to feel different — one person on the other end of the phone, not a switchboard. For concussion testing specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.
The value of going through a concierge for concussion testing isn’t access — anyone with an insurer or a credit card can get a private appointment in London. The value is knowing which consultant reads this particular presentation best, which unit turns reports around fastest, and which pathway won’t hit a dead end if the findings point somewhere unexpected.
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