Dr Selwyn Richards FRCP (GMC No 3559820) qualified in medicine at Oxford. He went on to complete his specialist training at Kings College Hospital, London. He gained the Diploma in Sports Medicine (RCS Edinburgh, 1997), was awarded a three year NHS Research Training Fellowship and received a distinction for his MSc in Rheumatology (University of London, 2001). He was appointed as a Consultant Rheumatologist for Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in 2001.
Dr Richards has special interests in:
- Back pain and spinal problems
- Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia,
- Sport and Exercise Medicine and sports injuries
- Arthritis
He leads the Poole Acute Back Pain Service, is lead clinician for CFS/ME services for Dorset and Clinical Champion for CFS/ME for Hampshire, Dorset and IoW. He is actively involved in running clinical research including his own investigator initiated studies. He is the Chief Investigator in the UK for some multicentre clinical trials and the Principle Investigator at Poole for studies, especially in fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. He is frequently asked to lecture both at local and national meetings.
The Rheumatology Department in Poole has won several national awards including:
- Wyeth "Freedom to Move On" award (2004)
- RCN/Pfizer rheumatology education award (2004)
- Arthritis Research Campaign Silver Medal for Physiotherapy (2005) to Jane Haynes for Ankylosing Spondylitis Service
- BSR "Innovation in Clinical Practice" (2005) to Patricia Cornell, senior rheumatology practitioner, Ankylosing Spondylitis Service
- Arthritis Research Campaign Silver Medal for Physiotherapy (2006) to Jane Haynes for Ankylosing Spondylitis Service
- National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society award (2007) for communication with patients and health professionals
Dr Richards is a keen sportsman having completed many marathons. He is currently competing in triathlons and enjoys fishing, gardening and the demands of a young family at home.
