Health Education England, North East's region does not currently offer a training programme in Sport and Exercise Medicine, however professional recognition in Sport and Exercise Medicine is now available to all doctors.

• Skills in SEM can provide much needed knowledge to manage many common conditions
• Exercise Medicine and Musculoskeletal Medicine an important part of prevention and public health

The Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK (FSEM) is opening its doors by enabling all medical doctors with skills in Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM) to sit a new Membership Exam and apply for membership of the FSEM; the recognised, professional organisation which sets standards in SEM.

The skills base included in SEM; musculoskeletal (MSK) medicine, exercise medicine, physical activity assessment and team care are being increasingly recognised by the NHS and can provide much needed knowledge to help prevent and manage many of the common conditions and diseases seen today.

Dr Paul D Jackson, President of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine, comments: "We are pleased to be able to offer all doctors working across the spectrum of Sport and Exercise Medicine, the chance to be part of our specialty via a skills and knowledge based qualification.

"It is important that the FSEM supports the development of doctors working in musculoskeletal medicine, exercise medicine and team care at all levels. This will maintain standards of excellence and best practice for patients, which range from elite athletes to people recovering from illness and injury or managing a long term condition."

The FSEM’s new Membership Exam will provide a national standard for those working in Sport and Exercise Medicine. This will allow those who appoint team doctors, or commission care, to identify those doctors with an appropriate level of training. 

SEM has an application across both primary and secondary care. MSK Medicine and Exercise Medicine have the skills to help deliver ‘a radical upgrade in prevention and public health. The FSEM supports the ongoing skills, development and standards of SEM practitioners across the UK and sets the curriculum for higher specialty training.

The FSEM Membership Exam parts 1 and 2 will be available from September 2017. Further details can be found on the FSEM’s Membership Exam webpage.