THE LARGEST MULTIDISCIPLINARY SPORTS MEDICINE ORGANISATION IN THE UK
Offering full membership to medical practitioners and allied healthcare professionals that work, or have an interest in sport and exercise medicine.
BASEM & FSEM(UK)
LEARN ABOUT THE PROPOSED NEW COLLEGE
In May 2023 the memberships of both BASEM and FSEM independently voted to begin the necessary processes to dissolve both organisations and re-form together as a College of SEM.
Currently both BASEM and FSEM still exist as separate entities and will continue to operate as usual, providing our members with their usual services and benefits.
A Short timeline of events
2020
First proposal for dissolution of BASEM & FSEM and reform as a new entity
2021
BASEM made changes to their Articles of Association to allow members to make decisions based on the number of voting members present.
January 2022
A meeting was held representatives of the BASEM board and CEO, along with Office Bearers and the Chief Executive of the Faculty, to discuss the proposition of reforming as a College.
February 2022
A steering group of the BASEM Chair, BASEM Chief Executive, FSEM President and FSEM Chief Executive was created.
March 2022
A call for members to be involved in the consultation groups of both the advantages and disadvantages of reforming as a single entity or staying separate.
May 2022
Eight working groups were created consisting of BASEM and FSEM members to look at specific areas for consideration.
March 2023
Outcome reports were submitted from the eight working groups.
May 2023
Members were able to submit questions on the consultation report findings, and for further information about the College.
Additional communication was circulated to members on specific topics – exams, membership structure and specific membership categories such overseas membership. This provided a more detail response ahead of the Q&A session.
Representatives from both BASEM and FSEM Boards held a live Question and Answer session, chaired independently, to answer all questions submitted by members.
A vote was held separately during both organisations General Meetings. Both memberships voted strongly in favour of the two organisations dissolving and the reforming of one single entity.
Change to BASEMs Articles of Association to allow members to make decisions based on the number of voting members present.
November 2023
As agreed both organisations were due to review each others organisation through a legal Due Diligence process to identify if there were any significant legal, financial or reputational risks that we would need to revert back to the membership on.
April 2024
Both staff teams met in Edinburgh to start working together as one large team, they meet at least a month and have another in-person meeting set up for the summer.
MAY 2024
Both Boards agreed plans to create a steering group that would be made of both Boards and additional non-Board members with the relevant skills and experience. It was also agreed to recruit an external Chair to help manage this stewardship group. The recruitment of this group and the external chair is now ongoing.
14 October 2024
Dr Dan Morris appointed Chair of the Joint Steering Group, set to guide BASEM and FSEM through the next steps of reforming as a College of SEM. Â
November – December 2024
The College Steering Group convene regularly to establish the foundational principles of the group, assess the resources required to deliver the project effectively, and agree on key roles. As part of this, it was identified that the Chief Executive of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine would dedicate one to two days per week to serve as the staff lead for the project.
To formalise their shared commitment and ensure a unified approach, the College Steering Group also entered into a formal collaboration agreement, setting out clear roles, responsibilities, and shared objectives.
January – April 2025
The College Steering group engaged Eastside People to support the project plan. A dedicated project manager was appointed to oversee the coordination and delivery of the College. The project manager has developed a comprehensive overarching project plan, a detailed risk register to proactively identify and mitigate potential challenges, and a decision making protocol to ensure clarity and accountability throughout the next steps of the journey to College.
April 2025
BASEM and FSEM implemented a Data Sharing Agreement to support our planning and development of the new College. This agreement is important in identifying our shared members across both organisations, as well as assessing the services and benefits we can offer our members. An email with full details was shared with members yesterday.
June 2025
Following a comprehensive consultation process led by the College Steering Group, and with overwhelming support from both BASEM and FSEM members, the official name of the new college was confirmed as the College of Sport, Exercise and Musculoskeletal Medicine (CSEM).
August 2025
BASEM and FSEM confirm the Inaugural Board of Trustees at the College of Sport, Exercise and Musculoskeletal Medicine (CSEM). Following a comprehensive voting process, the first members of the new Board of Trustees are elected. The vote was for the roles of President, two Vice-Presidents, an Honorary Secretary, and an Honorary Treasurer. Each member has accepted their new role.
September 2025
As part of our ongoing progress toward establishing the College of SEM, BASEM and FSEM have been working throughout this year to develop the brand identity for the College. We are now entering the final stage of this process, with a cross-section of members from both organisations invited to provide feedback as part of the consultation phase. We look forward to sharing the final brand identity with the wider membership.
November 2025
The new logo for CSEM is presented, establishing the new College’s visual identity. Read more.
December 2025
One year on from the formation of the College Steering Group, members are provided and update on the steps that have been taken since the group’s inception. Read more.
Following enquiries by members, BASEM provided further clarity surrounding medical leadership of the college and Fellowship structure. Read more.
January - February 2026
Several key milestones were reached during this period.
– Finalised the College’s Articles of Association, enabling us to formally set up the College as a company.
– Received confirmation from Companies House that the College is now officially incorporated.
– Submitted our completed charity application to the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Pertinent Documents
These have been sent to every member are also available to view here:
- The Outcome Document
- Proposed Membership Structure
- Examinations, key points to clarify
- Eligibility of Membership of the new College
- Additional information for Overseas Members
- For SEM Consultants
- For General Practitioners
- For Allied Health Professionals
- For SEM Specialist Registrars
- CSEM Governance Structure
- CSEM History
- CSEM Membership Eligibility
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Find below a list of our most frequently asked questions around the Proposed New College. If you wish to submit your own please click here
All current members of BASEM and FSEM will be eligible for a category of membership of the new organisation.
Members of FSEM, who are in good standing and hold the postnominals MFSEM will be automatically eligible for full membership of the new organisation and will hold the new postnominals.
 Members of BASEM who are not members of FSEM already, will be automatically eligible for entry at least as Associate Membership of the new organisation, with the possibility of entering at higher-level categories depending on experience and qualifications.
 Members of BASEM who have successfully passed the FSEM Musculoskeletal Diploma, will be eligible for the Diplomate-Membership Category on application.
 In addition, under a legacy clause, current members of BASEM, who are not members of FSEM already, will be eligible to apply for full membership of the new organisation and to hold the new postnominals. Applications for this will be open for the first year of the new organisation forming. These applications will be assessed by a joint BASEM and FSEM standards committee who will follow these broad principles in their assessment process.
Under this legacy clause:Â
- All applicants will have been upstanding members of BASEM since 31.03.2022, and continue to remain members of BASEM, paying BASEM fees until such time as a new organisation is created.
- Membership will be reserved for those who have made a significant contribution to SEM over at least 5 years.
- Membership will be reserved for those who have a post graduate university qualification in sport, exercise and musculoskeletal medicine, which is comparable to the current FSEM membership examination.
- Membership will be open to the wider multi-disciplinary team. Â
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This document does not apply to diplomate membership and fellowship whose eligibility requirements are set out separately in the consultation outcome document.
During the Working Groups, a proposed membership structure with the following categories was created:
- Fellowship
- Honorary Fellowship
- Membership
- Trainee Member
- Diplomate Member
- Associate Member
- Undergraduate Member
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In addition to this horizontal structure, the proposed membership structure also had a vertical component to incorporate the 3 streams of SEM: MSK medicine, exercise medicine and team care. This is to highlight the 3 disciplines of SEM and ensure they are embedded into all aspects of the new organisation. Within each membership category it is foreseen there will be committees dedicated to each of the 3 streams.
You can find out more about each membership category in our Proposed Membership Structure Blog post:
As part of the initial steps towards the proposed new college, a working group was set up and given the task of creating a proposal for a membership structure. Dr Katie Marino (BASEMs Board Lead for Membership) co-chaired the group along with Dr Chris Tomlinson (then Vice-President of FSEM). From the outset they had four clear priorities:
- Inclusivity; Ensuring all BASEM and FSEM members would be able to join in some form.
- Multi-Disciplinary; Valuing all professions as integral to the specialty of SEM.
- Embracing the overlapping spheres of SEM; physical activity medicine, musculoskeletal medicine and team care and have them as a running theme throughout.
- Fairness; Recognising relevant qualifications, experience etc. in separating the membership groups.
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Incorporating the associate member category means that any individual with an interest in SEM is able to join. This ultimately means that ANY current BASEM member will be able to join the new organisation. It was decided that associate members would not need to have an accrediting or governing body as some groups such as sports scientists may be excluded from joining. Overseas members will fit into the associate membership category, unless they undertake (or already have) qualifications required for other membership categories. In addition, the members, diplomate members, associate members and undergraduate members are open to all professions (as well as fellowship via fellowship by election).
The name of the new College and associated brand has not yet been decided. Keep an eye on your BASEM communications for any further updates regarding this.
All staff members have been advised that there will be a role for them in the new entity. Staff will be protected by TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006). TUPE applies when an organisation’s service is transferred to another entity and requires the new employer to honour existing staff contracts. This is a complex legal matter, and each TUPE case is different, and therefore the new organisation will bring in HR support to ensure that each staff member is transferred across in accordance with the law and to ensure fairness in the approach.
The staffing structure and requirements will be worked out as a priority once the Shadow Board is in place, but it is thought that the current roles within each organisation will continue to exist with just some adaptations to account for a broader scope.
Even with TUPE, this is still an unsettling time for staff as there is so much unknown. We are continuing to work together and support each other. Additionally, we are arranging for BASEM and FSEM staff to meet to help each other understand job roles and ways of working so the team working process can begin now.
Of course. Overseas members will fit into the associate membership category, unless they undertake (or already have) qualifications required for other membership categories.
The Shadow Board will likely be made up of existing Board members, usually half the Board, from each organisation. It is essentially a subgroup which will drive forward the reformation to one single entity but reports back to the two existing Boards (which continue to have legal authority). Their purpose initially will be to establish the new organisation, establish its charitable objects, register it with the appropriate regulators, establish the structure of the Board, Councils, and Committees and start the process of establishing working systems.
The Shadow Board and staff from each organisation will work on the detail of everything involved in establishing a new entity, whilst incorporating the necessary elements from the existing organisations. This will be a huge piece of work and will take time and resources from both existing organisations, along with further external expertise for HR, legal and financial aspects.
We anticipate this will take between 12-24 months.
Once this has been done, BASEM members will be asked to vote again, this time to confirm that BASEM can dissolve and transfer its assets across to the new entity. Charity Commission will also need to approve this. FSEM’s Board will also vote, and as a charity registered in Scotland, the Office of Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) will need to approve FSEM’s dissolution and asset transfer.