The Role of SEM Consultants in Healthcare
Introduction
As the NHS faces unprecedented challenges from chronic disease, physical inactivity, and musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, the role of Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM) consultants has never been more critical. SEM Consultants bring a unique, multidisciplinary skillset that enables them to lead integrated care, improve patient outcomes, and support the wider healthcare workforce.
What is a Sport and Exercise Medicine Consultant
SEM consultants are specialist doctors trained in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of MSK conditions and in the use of physical activity as a therapeutic tool. Their training spans multiple specialties, including rheumatology, orthopaedics, emergency medicine, general practice, rehabilitation, and public health. This broad foundation equips them to work across primary, secondary, and community care settings.
A Unique Clinical and Leadership Role
SEM consultants are not confined to a single clinical setting. They operate across the NHS, from community MSK services to long COVID clinics and perioperative care. Their responsibilities include:
- Managing complex MSK conditions that do not require surgical or inflammatory intervention.
- Designing and implementing physical activity interventions for both prevention and rehabilitation.
- Leading multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) and supporting the development of GPs with Extended Roles (GPwERs), physiotherapists, and other allied health professionals.
- Contributing to clinical governance, service design, and national commissioning strategies.
Why SEM Consultants Are Essential to the NHS
One in three people in the UK live with an MSK condition, and physical inactivity is now a leading cause of death. SEM consultants address both issues simultaneously. Their work reduces unnecessary referrals, improves patient outcomes, and supports the NHS’s strategic goals of prevention, productivity, and reducing health inequalities.
Despite their proven value, SEM consultants are underrepresented in the NHS. Of the 42 integrated care systems across the UK, only around 15 currently benefit from their expertise. The Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine (FSEM) advocates for a minimum of four SEM consultants per million population to meet current and future demand.
Case Studies in Impact
Across the UK, SEM-led services have demonstrated measurable success:
- In Oxford, Sport and Exercise Medicine consultants manage over 60% of rheumatology referrals within MSK services, reducing pressure on secondary care.
- In Manchester, only 4% of patients seen by SEM consultants are referred to orthopaedics, highlighting effective community-based care.
- In Hampshire, 87% of referrals are managed by SEM-led teams, with high surgical conversion rates among those referred onward, indicating appropriate triage and management.
Supporting the Wider Workforce
Sport and Exercise Medicine consultants play a pivotal role in upskilling the NHS workforce. They provide education, mentorship, and clinical supervision to GPs, physiotherapists, and other healthcare professionals. Their leadership fosters a culture of evidence-based, patient-centred care and supports the integration of physical activity into routine clinical practice.
Conclusion
SEM consultants are not just sports doctors, they are system leaders, educators, and innovators. Their ability to integrate physical activity into healthcare, manage complex MSK conditions, and lead multidisciplinary teams makes them indispensable to the future of the NHS.
As the NHS continues to evolve, SEM consultants will be central to delivering high-quality, sustainable, and preventative care across the UK.