Dr Ralph Smith

Biography

Dr Ralph Smith is a Consultant in Sport and Exercise Medicine at Rutherford Cancer Centre Thames Valley. He qualified from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne in 2008, followed by a Master of Science in Sport Medicine, Exercise and Health from University College London in 2011. Following his General Practice training in Reading, he joined the Thames Valley Sport and Exercise Medicine specialist training programme from 2014. He completed his specialist training 2018 and now holds a substantive Consultant post at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation trust (OUH).

Through his training, he has acquired extensive experience in multidisciplinary musculoskeletal care and is part of the consultant team delivering the paediatric and adult Oxsport and Complex Musculoskeletal services. He holds a Diploma in Musculoskeletal ultrasound and regularly integrates ultrasound into his practice. He also runs an ultrasound-guided injection service for the OUH Rheumatology department.

He has worked within elite team sport since 2011 and is a locum contractor for the English Institute of Sport. His current roles include first team doctor for Reading FC Womens and London Irish Rugby Union Club. He has extensive experience in a number of sports including rowing, triathlon, modern pentathlon, professional football, distance running and has provided medical cover for camps and tournaments including the Commonwealth Games. He has been the travelling physician for GB Hockey, England Women’s Cricket (two T20 world cups) and British Athletics.

Dr Smith has published and presented internationally in research areas which included stress fractures, triathlon medicine and physical activity in pregnancy. He has been extensively involved in a number of physical activity projects including the national award winning Moving Medicine and Active Hospital pilot projects.

Qualifications

• MBBS
• FFSEM
• MSc (SEM)
• MRCGP
• Dip (US) MSK

Memberships

• Fellow of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine
• Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners
• Member of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine (BASEM)

Awards

• Royal College of Physician Awards Winner - Patient-Centred Care category – Extensively involved in the Moving Medicine Project – Pilot design lead 2020
• Royal College of Physician Awards Runner up Quality Improvement Category 2020
• Best Oral Presentation for Public Health Category, RCOG World Congress 2019
• BASEM National Conference Prize 2nd place for Best Poster Presentation 2018
• Best Oral Presentation Certificate for Sport Medicine, Asics UKSEM Conference 2011