Dr Sam Barke

Sam is Head of Sports Medicine at Meliora Medical Group, with particular expertise in adolescent sports medicine and concussion. He is a Board Member of the Centre for Youth Sports Medicine and a member of the UK Concussion Working Group.

He has extensive experience across school, amateur and elite sport. His previous roles include England Rugby Academy Doctor, match-day doctor for Harlequins and London Irish, Lead Doctor for the Rosslyn Park National Schools 7s, and Medical Officer for the International Weightlifting Federation. He has also worked at major international events including the Commonwealth Games, World Athletics Championships and World Triathlon Series.

For more than a decade, Sam has been closely involved in improving the recognition and management of concussion in children and amateur sport. He has helped develop clinical pathways and approaches specifically suited to young athletes, recognising that their medical needs cannot simply be extrapolated from adult or elite sport. He has presented nationally and internationally on concussion and adolescent sports medicine and has contributed to coverage by The Times, Rugby World, BT Sport and BBC News.

Sam trained at Guy’s, King’s & St Thomas’ Hospitals in London before undertaking surgical training in Trauma & Orthopaedics. He subsequently worked in young adult hip surgery for over 10 years.  He holds further qualifications in sports medicine and pre-hospital care.

His clinical approach combines sports medicine expertise with an understanding of the wider demands placed on young athletes – including sport, school, development and life outside sport.