I am pleased to announce that the FSEM (UK) has been accepted as a member of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC), this is a big milestone in the development of the Faculty and the specialty. Sport and Exercise Medicine will now have a voice to promote exercise medicine and musculoskeletal medicine directly to those representing all of the other medical specialties in the UK. AoMRC is in a position to collectively influence and shape healthcare across the four nations of the UK and I will keep you up to date with the work we do with the AoMRC on behalf of our membership.

We have made good progress in raising the profile of the skills that SEM physicians have in MSK Medicine. Our key messages and evidence outlining how effective SEM led MSK services can be in an NHS setting have been communicated in all of our recent policy responses. This includes our policy mapping on prevention and supported self-management via the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA). We will also be following developments coming from last week’s election results and working on FSEM (UK) policy recommendations for new ministers and returning ministers.

Dr Jo Larkin’s blog about the MSK care pathway for rehabilitation, also featured on the ARMA website, is a useful tool when sharing and communicating the relevance of SEM in MSK care.

The perception still remains that SEM is all about sport medicine, which is a vital part of what we deliver, however this is beginning to change as we engage more. All of our Members and Fellows have a part to play through the promotion of their skills and training relevant to the Five Year Forward View and its objective ‘a radical upgrade in prevention and public health’. I like to add the importance of SEM in the management as well as the prevention of many common conditions, and this is where we can enable a ‘radical upgrade’ in care pathways and health outcomes for people living with an MSK condition.

We now have available an excellent Faculty position statement on the complex topic of screening for asymptomatic atlanto-axial instability (AAI) in Down Syndrome (DS) athletes. This fully referenced literature review will help doctors in directing athletes with Down Syndrome to the most appropriate sports and activities whilst still encouraging them to take part in exercise which we know brings significant physical and mental health benefits.

As always, we welcome views from our Fellows and Members on the Faculty and the work it carries out. Our regular Council Meetings provide a platform for our members to get involved via our Council Representatives.

Dr Paul D Jackson, President of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK