An analysis of consultations with the crowd doctors at Glasgow Celtic football club, season 1999-2000

Objective-To analyse all clinical presentations to the crowd doctors at Sco tland's largest football stadium over the course of one complete season. Methods-A standard clinical record form was used to document all consultati ons with the crowd doctors including treatment and subsequent referrals. Th e relevance of alcohol consumption was assessed. Results-A total of 127 casualties were seen at 26 matches, a mean of 4.88 p er match. Twenty casualties were transferred to hospital, including one suc cessfully defibrillated after a cardiac arrest. Alcohol excess was a major contributing factor in 26 cases. Conclusions-The workload of the crowd doctors was very variable and diverse . The social problem of excessive alcohol consumption contributed considera bly to the workload. The provision of medical facilities at football ground s means that attendance there is now one of the least adverse circumstances in which to have a cardiac arrest. The study confirmed previous impression s that more casualties are seen at high profile matches.