My work
My working week takes me from home on the Wirral, to my local clinic at Spire Murrayfield and then across to Manchester where I am based for my UK Sports Institute role and for my clinics at OrthTeam Centre.
I joined OrthTeam Centre in August 2022 and am fortunate to work here alongside world leading colleagues in Sports Medicine, Radiology, Orthopaedics, Neurosurgery and Pain Medicine. My clinical practice benefits hugely from discussion of complex cases at our weekly Sports Medicine MDT & Spinal MDT meetings. Working at OrthTeam and collaborating with colleagues enables me to provide the highest standard of care to my patients.
I love the diversity of my work - it can take me from seeing an elite athlete one moment, to supporting a patient with longstanding joint pain the next , then helping someone get back to the sport they love - this gives me real fulfillment.
My approach
I prioritise listening to a person, understanding their story and how the current problem with pain or injury is affecting their life, work, sport and passions.
Often the patients or athletes I see have had a sports injury or musculoskeletal problem for a while and may have seen a few other specialists or healthcare professionals before me, but have just not got better - I try to understand their journey, current concerns and anxieties and see how I can best support recovery.
My experience
I am Head of Sports Medicine at the UK Sports Institute, where I lead a team of Sports Physicians providing healthcare to our current British Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth athletes. I have previously worked as a Team Dr across a range of sports including EF Education First-EasyPost professional cycling team, Premiership football, professional Rugby League and Rugby Union. I am skilled in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound and Ultrasound guided injections. I worked as a Consultant at an NHS Musculoskeletal clinic from 2017 until 2023.
My interests
I have a keen interest in medical education and completed a PGCME and Medical Education Fellowship during my NHS training. I am currently Training Programme Director for Sport & Exercise Medicine trainees in the North West and am a Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine council member. I led the design and delivery of the ‘Team Care’ Faculty Diploma examination in 2024 which aims to the world leading minimum standard assessment for healthcare professionals working in elite sport. I lecture on the Sport & Exercise Medicine MSc at both Manchester Metropolitan University and UCLAN. I have a particular interest in coaching and mentoring other Drs and healthcare professionals.
I am married and have three amazing young children. I love sport and exercise, previously playing Rugby Union but now keep fit through swimming, cycling, running and the occasional triathlon.
What is Sport & Exercise Medicine?
Sport & Exercise Medicine (SEM) is a GMC approved medical specialty with a dedicated NHS four year higher training scheme. It is a relatively new, exciting and rapidly developing area of medicine - with formal GMC recognition granted in 2006 and 142 consultants currently on the GMC register. SEM Consultants are currently employed by 19 NHS trusts in the UK which is anticipated to grow as knowledge and understanding of the specialty increases.
Origin
Sports Medicine has been practiced for many years by Doctors often employed by sports clubs or working in NHS Musculoskeletal clinics but without formally recognised training and alongside their regular jobs such as in General Practice or Emergency Medicine.
Evolution
As a legacy of the successful bid for the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games, SEM was granted formal recognition as a GMC medical specialty and the Faculty of Sport & Exercise Medicine (FSEM) and a formal training scheme was created
Future
With a rapdily growing number of SEM Consultants on the GMC register and more NHS trusts employing the services of SEM Consultants it is envisaged continued growth of the specialty with easier access to SEM Doctors across the UK - see here