Meet the team
OUR PRESIDENT
Dr Elaine Atkins MBE
Elaine trained as a physiotherapist at St Thomas’ Hospital, where Dr Cyriax’s seminal approach to the assessment, diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal conditions was founded. She joined the then Society of Orthopaedic Medicine in 1981, becoming a Fellow in 1990, and has taught the approach widely since.
She has collaborated with different brilliant author teams towards the publication of the fifth edition of the textbook to accompany the courses, ‘A Practical Approach to Musculoskeletal Medicine’ – Monica Kesson, Jill Kerr, Emily Goodlad and Sharon Chan-Braddock.
Elaine developed the first MSc Musculoskeletal Medicine in 2000, with Middlesex University. The programme moved to Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 2018, where she has since returned as Programme Leader.
She has completed a doctorate in professional studies and was made a Fellow of the Charted Society of Physiotherapy in 2014, for services to physiotherapy education. She was subsequently awarded an MBE in 2018 for services to physiotherapy.
OUR CHAIR
Nick Worth
Having qualified as a Physiotherapist from Brighton University in 1993, Nick completed his Diploma with the Society of Orthopaedic Medicine in 1995.
In 2005, he graduated with an MSc in Orthopaedic Medicine from Middlesex University and published his dissertation relating to Achilles Tendon Rupture Management.
Nick worked within Elite Professional Football for 20 years, covering around 850-1000 games! He has worked for several Premier League and Championship Clubs as well as being the England Under 21 Physiotherapist between 2000 – 2003. He also had a spell in Abu Dhabi working with one of the UAE’s top Football teams.
He has been a Fellow of SOMM since 2009 and is a Tutor in the Injection Therapy courses.
He has a wealth of experience of teaching Masters level courses at different Universities. He is an independent prescriber and is a member of the University of Salford’s non-medical prescribing teaching team.
Nick continues to teach on the SOMM courses and has been a member of the team that created the Advanced practice Minimum Standards of Supervision, the ACP Supervision Capability Framework and the ACP MSK Credential within NHS England Faculty for Advancing Practice.
He is a Physiotherapy Expert Witness within Elite Sport and owns a Private Practice specialising in Injection Therapy and Sports Injuries.
OUR CHAIR OF EDUCATION
Johnny Smith
Having qualified as a Physiotherapist from Huddersfield University in 2003 with a 1st Class Hons degree, Johnny completed his Diploma with the Society of Orthopaedic Medicine in 2005.
In 2007 he started to teach on the Foundation courses after completing his Fellowship. In 2008, he completed his Diploma in Injection Therapy and also graduated with an MSc in Orthopaedic Medicine from Middlesex University. His research looked at the accuracy of SOMM’s clinical examination when diagnosing Rotator cuff pathology.
Johnny has worked in a variety of settings, including both the NHS and private practice. In the NHS, he worked as an Extended Scope Physiotherapist, specialising with hip, knee and hand pathologies. Johnny started his private practice (Thorpes Physiotherapy) in 2010 and works full-time in this setting now.
Johnny has been the Chair of Education for SOMM since 2021 and is currently a Module Coordinator for the Foundation course and teaches on the Spinal Masterclass course. Johnny was a guest speaker at the Orthopaedic Medicine International Low Back pain conference in Alingsas, Sweden in 2023.
SOCIETY MANAGER
Christine Williams
Christine provides support to the SOMM team and ensures that everything runs smoothly in the SOMM office. Christine brings with her many years of experience in various office settings.
Our Teaching Team
Dr Elaine Atkins MBE
MSC Programme Leader
Elaine trained as a physiotherapist at St Thomas’ Hospital, where Dr Cyriax’s seminal approach to the assessment, diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal conditions was founded. She joined the then Society of Orthopaedic Medicine in 1981, becoming a Fellow in 1990, and has taught the approach widely since. She has collaborated with different brilliant author teams towards the publication of the fifth edition of the textbook to accompany the courses – Monica Kesson, Jill Kerr, Emily Goodlad and Sharon Chan-Braddock. Elaine developed the first MSc Musculoskeletal Medicine in 2000, with Middlesex University, and remained as its Programme Leader until the programme moved to Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 2018. She has completed a doctorate in professional studies and was made a Fellow of the Charted Society of Physiotherapy in 2014, for services to physiotherapy education. She was subsequently awarded an MBE in 2018 for services to physiotherapy.
Nick Worth
Course Tutor
Nick currently works as a Consultant Physiotherapist and as an ESP Physiotherapist in a variety of locations around the North West, and teaches extensively both in the UK and abroad.
Johnny Smith
Module Coordinator
Johnny has been part of the SOMM teaching team since 2007 and did his MSc with SOMM in 2008. Now running his own private practice, he used to work as an Extended Scope Practitioner and specialised in hips, knees and hands.
Darren Collin
Module Coordinator
Darren is a physiotherapist based in the north west working in the NHS as a First Contact Practitioner. He has been a SOMM fellow since 2018 and teaches on the foundation courses.
Graeme Searle
Module Coordinator
Graeme Searle is a physiotherapist based in the NHS in North Hampshire. He has worked in a variety of settings within the NHS, private practice and local sports.
Dr Duncan Reid
Course Tutor
Duncan qualified in Medicine 1987 at Edinburgh University and has worked as a GP in Colinton SW Edinburgh since 1991. A passionate football fan he became club Dr to Hibernian FC in 1998.
Jack Dixon
COURSE TUTOR
Jack is a physiotherapist working in private practice, based in Greater Manchester. Alongside his clinic work, he is active in elite sport and charity sports events.
Ruth Bradley
COURSE TUTOR
Ruth is a private practice physiotherapist based in Edinburgh. Ruth has worked in a number of clinic and rehab settings alongside sports and in particular rugby. Ruth’s treats a variety of Musculoskeletal conditions.
Dr Sharon Chan-Braddock
Module Coordinator
Sharon works as an Advanced Practice Practitioner and First Contact Practitioner Physiotherapist in the interface MSK service and Primary Care in Central Manchester. She is also an independent prescriber, guest lecturer for Universities and National Trainer for the supervision and verification training of the HEE MSK FCP Roadmap. Her clinical interests are spinal disorders, persistent pain management and injection therapy. She has been teaching for SOMM for over 10 years, and currently module co-ordinator of Injection Therapy and Developing Professional Practice module.
Dr Stephen Miller
Course Tutor
Stephen is a GP with a specialist interest in Musculoskeletal Medicine and a Sports & Exercise Medicine Physician, working across a number of roles in the NHS, Armed Forces and private practice.
Simon Head
COURSE TUTOR
Simon is an Orthopaedic Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner working within the NHS ‘Triage and Treat’ services in Kent, using SOMM assessment and treatment techniques throughout his practice. Having completed his undergraduate training at King’s College London, he has gone on to complete the SOMM foundation diploma, injection therapy diploma, MSc in MSK Medicine and teaching Fellowship all through the Society. As well as a SOMM tutor, he is is an NHS Topol Digital Fellow and is currently exploring the use of artificial intelligence within musculoskeletal care.
Matt Daly
COURSE TUTOR
Matt is an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner and First Contact Practitioner (FCP) Clinical Lead with East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. He has 25 years’ experience, 22 of which have been in the field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy. He has worked for the Trust since 2003 and has been in an advanced practice role since 2010 due to his knowledge, skills and post graduate education and training. He has worked across many of his local Orthopaedic pathways delivering assessment and treatment in triage services and supporting the physiotherapy team. He completed a PG Diploma in MSK Ultrasound in 2016 and then introduced the innovative idea of physiotherapists utilising ultrasound imaging into their practice to the Trust through a series of workshops. He has run injection workshops for GPs and educational sessions for patients on managing long term conditions.
Previously, he has been ESHT Clinical Lead for the musculoskeletal service, providing supervision and mentorship to grow their current AP team, together with providing clinical governance and pathway development. Matt completed his SOMM Training in 2006, and has previously been the Communications Officer and Secretary for the MACP.
Amanda Hensman-Crook
COURSE TUTOR
Amanda qualified as a physiotherapist in 1991 and has specialised in MSK for 30 years. Amanda has a SOMM diploma and injection therapy qualification and has supervised trainee injectors and provided education around IT in primary care for over 16 years. Amanda developed MSK, paramedic, dietetic, podiatry and occupational therapy First Contact practitioner roles, underpinning training pathways and supervision structure and led the development of the UK MSK advanced practice standards. Amanda is a visiting lecturer at University of Winchester teaching MSK on Masters’ modules and is a clinical subject matter expert for NHSE BestMSK. Amanda is passionate about education, workforce transformation and quality improvement.
Helen Welch
Course Tutor
Helen Welch is currently a consultant MSK physiotherapist and FCP lead overseeing first contact physiotherapy provision in West Belfast Federation providing expert assessment and management of MSK conditions. Helen has done additional training to act as a non-medical independent prescriber and to perform joint and soft tissue injection. As well as post graduate training in physiotherapy, Helen is a CASE accredited MSK sonographer, trained in the provision of ultrasound guided injections. Helen has been active within the Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapy (MACP), recently stepping down as Chair of the organisation. Helen recently co-chaired the MSK partnership group acting as project lead for the development of the UK MSK advanced practice standards. Helen is a lecturer on the post graduate MSK provision for the University of Ulster, and is currently undertaking Professional Doctorate in Health at University of Bath looking at management of complexity in primary care.
Dr Niall Corroon
COURSE TUTOR
Niall is a GP and GP partner working in Sheffield, who has a special interest in Musculoskeletal Medicine. After qualifying as a GP, he developed his MSK practice with SOMM and has completed the Foundation Course and Injection Therapy course. Niall is passionate about advancing musculoskeletal management within a General Practice setting and the benefits it can give to patients within primary care management.
Dr Simon Morris
COURSE TUTOR
Simon has worked as a GP with Special Interest in Musculoskeletal Medicine and has extensive experience of working in Elite Sport for over 23 years nationally and internationally, with Team Doctor positions in Football, Cricket and Motor Racing.
Over the years, Simon has taught doctors, physiotherapists of all grades, and a whole range of multi-professional MSK students. He has pioneered MSK Teaching sessions to Clinical Staff in the local GP Practices to upskill those Primary Care workers at the coal face. For the last 6 years, he has also performed therapeutic and diagnostic injections, aspirations, and hydro dilatations under USS guidance.
Christine Williams
Society Manager
Christine provides support to the SOMM team and ensures that everything runs smoothly in the SOMM office. Christine brings with her many years of experience in various office settings.
Linda King
Part-time Bookkeeper
Linda provides book-keeping support for the SOMM Team and ensures that the organisations finances are kept in order. Linda has a wealth of experience which she brings with her to this part-time post.
Helen Langford
Part-Time Course Administrator
Helen provides support to the Society Manager and The rest of the team with regards to course bookings and general administration. Helen is extremely organised and has worked in a variety of organisations over the years bringing a wide range of experience.
José Marcelino
Course Tutor
José became a Fellow of SOMM in 1992 and remains an active tutor. His particular area of interest is the effectiveness of clinical reasoning.