For the last three years we have provided the highest quality service to patients suffering from conditions affecting the knee joint. Due to a high proportion of injuries being sports related, the Unit has now extended its service to include a new Sports Medicine and Injury Clinic, headed up by specialists Dr Alistair Smith and Dr Christine Haseler. This Clinic, the only one of its kind in Cheltenham, will provide additional care to sufferers of sport attributed complaints.

The service will be for athletes of any age and standard, from elite professionals to occasional recreational sportsmen and women, or even those who just want to improve their physical fitness and want some advice as to how to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. Millions of people undertake regular physical exercise and play sport; some to a high level, others just for fun and to keep fit. The aim of our Sports Medicine and Injury Clinic is to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to help people recover from injury and to stay active and injury-free thereafter.

We aim to give a "one stop" rapid diagnosis and advice service, adopting a holistic approach and giving a considered opinion. Each patient requires an individually tailored management plan along with onward referral to the relevant parties for multidisciplinary input.

Dr Alistair Smith MA BM BCh DRCOG MRCGP PGDipSEM

Dr Alistair Smith has lived in Gloucestershire since qualifying from Oxford University Medical School in 1994. He trained as a GP locally, gaining experience in a wide variety of specialties, and has been a partner at Locking Hill Surgery in Stroud since 1999. He is a Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP).

Alastair played football and cricket at university and has a long-standing involvement in Sports and Exercise Medicine. Since 1996 he has been Medical Officer to Cheltenham Town FC and has also worked with Forest Green Rovers FC and athletes from Stroud and District Athletics Club and Gloucester AC. He holds the Postgraduate Diploma in Sports and Exercise Medicine from the University of Bath and is a member of the British Association of Sports and Exercise Medicine (BASEM).

Dr Smith has a well-established Sports Medicine practice at the Lansdown Clinic in Stroud and maintains an interest in most sports, especially football, rugby and athletics. He has written a series of popular newspaper advice columns for athletes training for a half marathon and occasionally writes for Zest, a women’s monthly health and fitness magazine.

Dr Christine Haseler MA MBBCh DFSRH MFSEM PGDipSEM

Dr Christine Haseler has been a GP in Gloucestershire since 1991. She has always been keen on recreational sports and outdoor activities including cycling, swimming, mountaineering, skiing and triathlon. Her interest in rugby began when her son started playing in 1997. She is now part of the medical team for the Worcester Warriors Rugby and is Medical Advisor for Gloucestershire Youth Rugby.

Christine believes in ‘sport for all’ regardless of age, ability or fitness. She enjoys helping people be active, dealing with problems similar to those experienced by top athletes. This involves understanding factors like injury, training techniques, joint disorders or inflammation. Dr Haseler offers a full range of radiological investigation to assist diagnosis through Linton House. The Cheltenham Knee Clinic aims is a one-stop clinic - understanding problems, conducting investigations and making treatment plans.

Dr Haseler is a Member of the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine and completed a diploma in this topic at Bath University in 2005. She is studying for an MSc on Injuries in Mini and Junior Community Rugby and also holds a Certificate of Basic Competence in Acupuncture and the Diploma of the Society of Orthopaedic Medicine. Her other work includes locum general practice in Gloucestershire, pitchside care for Worcester Warriors Rugby Club and for Longlevens Rugby Club Mini and Junior section, an Honorary Contract in Cheltenham Emergency Department and Clinical Advisor to the Health Services Ombudsman.