Dr James Noake

I graduated from Birmingham University in 2002. After a year as an anatomy lecturer, I completed my surgical training in trauma and orthopaedics in the Midlands. I then completed my Masters in Sport and Exercise Medicine at Queen Mary University of London, Barts and The London Hospital in 2006. After two years of general medicine and rheumatology training in the Oxford region, I completed further specialty training in sport and exercise medicine (SEM) in the London Deanery, gaining fellowship of the SEM faculty in 2009.

My postgraduate qualifications in medical ultrasound are utilised in my day-to-day clinical practice, specifically in the diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal injuries.

I have worked at numerous centres of excellence around the country gaining invaluable experience including Headley Court DMRC military centre. Previously, I have also been clinical lead in orthopaedics and SEM for the NHS Hertfordshire Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group and headed a musculoskeletal interface service in primary care. I also assisted in the development of a multidisciplinary SEM service at Imperial College NHS Trust in London.

I am pleased to have been involved in elite sport for over 10 years, working with the Women’s Rugby Football Union (RFC) and three years with Esher RFC, before joining the London Irish RFC where I have been head doctor since 2012.

My sports experience extends to working with UK Athletics as a medical officer, the GB Paralympic squad, The English Institute of Sport, GB and England disability football squads, Essex County Cricket Club, GB Basketball and England Hockey.

Recently I have worked as an event physician for the Aviva indoor world athletics grand prix series, and World and European artistic gymnastics championships.

At ‘multi-sport’ games events I have been Medical Officer at the Sainsbury’s UK Schools Games in 2011 and at the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, consulting in the state-of the-art polyclinic in the athletes village.