At a glance
- Who it is for
- Healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, paramedics, physiotherapists and sports trainers
- Course levels
- Level 2 (community game) · Level 3 (professional game)
- Accreditation valid for
- 2 years (Level 2)
- Foundation introduction
- Planned for 2027 — delivery details will be announced once confirmed
Why immediate care on the pitch matters
When a serious injury happens during a match, what is done in the few minutes before the ambulance crew arrives can determine the outcome. The people responsible for this time are the team doctors, team nurses and athletic trainers at the side of the pitch.
PHICIS is a course that prepares them to assess an injured athlete systematically, provide the care needed and hand over safely to definitive care.
What is PHICIS?
PHICIS (Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport) is a pitch-side emergency care course run by England Rugby (RFU). It builds the skills healthcare professionals need to assess and diagnose an injured athlete at the side of the pitch, deliver advanced immediate care, and stabilize and move the athlete to a place of safety to await definitive care.
Key course content
- Recognizing and managing life- and limb-threatening injuries within a primary survey framework
- Working with emergency medical services (ambulance and hospital)
- Cervical and spinal protection
- Head injury and concussion management
Based on the RFU course.
Level 2 and Level 3 compared
| Item | Level 2 | Level 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Level of game | Community game | Professional game (Premiership, Championship, national teams) |
| Course format | Online interactive modules (about 15 hours, completed 48 hours before) + face-to-face training | As set out by the RFU |
| Entry requirements | Healthcare professional, aged 18 or over | Registered healthcare professional, aged 18 or over (sports therapists need Level 2 or an equivalent qualification) |
Accreditation
Level 2 accreditation is valid for 2 years. PHICIS is recognized by the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
The Foundation's plan
The Foundation is preparing to introduce PHICIS in 2027 so that team doctors, team nurses and athletic trainers in Korea can complete the course.
Delivery, accreditation and partnership arrangements will be announced once confirmed. Course dates and how to apply will be shared in our notices.
Source · PHICIS is an England Rugby (RFU) course. The information above is summarized from England Rugby's PHICIS pages; please check the original source for the latest requirements.
England Rugby PHICIS courses (external site, opens in a new window)
