Dr Sam Barke

Services: School Sports Doctor; Head Injury & Concussion Clinics; Match-Day Doctor

Sam is our Head of Sports Medicine and leads our Head Injury & Concussion Care service.

He has been at the forefront of improving the management of head injuries in amateur sport and in children for the last 10 years. He is recognised as an expert in the area and has presented nationally and internationally on the topic. He has also been featured by The Times, Rugby World magazine, BT Sport and BBC News speaking about concussion.

Sam has extensive experience in both the amateur and elite sporting environments. He has been an RFU academy doctor, a match-day doctor for Harlequins, lead doctor for the Rosslyn Park National School 7s, medical officer for the International Weightlifting Federation, and has worked at the Commonwealth Games, the World Athletics Championships and the World Triathlon Series.

Sam trained at Guy’s, King’s & St Thomas’ Hospitals, London. Following junior doctor posts he undertook surgical training, specialising in Trauma & Orthopaedics. He worked in young adult hip surgery for over a decade and has further qualifications in sports medicine and pre-hospital care.

 

Press articles

The ex-pro, the engineer and the scrum cap that could save rugby – The Times 19 Dec 2023

“I’ve been knocked unconscious, had my eye gouged and shattered my arm – but I’d never stop my kids playing rugby” – The Telegraph 12 Dec 2023

Thousands of children a year suffer head injuries on rugby field – The Sunday Times 26 Nov 2023

Concussion in rugby: Ugly moment in England U20 match shows game has a lot to learn – The Sunday Times 20 Feb 2022

Rugby faces fight for a future . . . and must act swiftly – The Times 14 Jan 2021

Grassroots rugby at a crossroads over concussion crisis – The Telegraph 19 Dec 2020

George North urged to seek advice after sixth concussion – The Times 25 Feb 2020

Ryan Giggs criticised as Daniel James ‘fakes his concussion’ – The Times 15 Oct 2019

TV Interview:  BBC Wales News – 09 September 2019

The Ashes Expert View – Steve Smith likely to feel concussion symptoms for at least a week – The Times 19 August 2019

TV Interview: BT Sport’s ‘Rugby Tonight’ – 27 February 2019

Six Nations: Jonny May’s head injury under review – The Times 26 February 2019

World Cup 2018: Nordin Amrabat incident highlights football’s poor relationship with concussion – City AM 20 June 2018

Football must take note of rugby’s concussion protocol – The Times 06 June 2018

England Captain Dylan Hartley is right to follow medical advice – The Times 24 April 2018

Concussion: Back to Basics – The Rugby Paper 29 September 2017

Blogs

Dangers of Rugby: How applicable are they to the school game?

Doctors on the COVID Frontline

Concussion: Back to Basics

Concussion: There’s no recovery fast track

Concussion: It’s not a rugby injury

Concussion: Teacher’s have an important role to play

OK, where do I start?

Whether you are interested in our Sports Medicine, Schools Medicine or Lifestyle medicine services, we’d love to hear about how we can help you so please get in touch.

Meliora Medical Group’s Sports Medicine service operates under the name ‘Return2Play’ and has it’s own website.

Return2Play are the UK’s leading sports medicine provider for schools, clubs and universities.

Visit return2play.org.uk