National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science (NIDMS)

One Dance UK is a proud NIDMS partner – the National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science. ​

The National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science (NIDMS) was founded in 2012 out of a need for greater provision of dance medicine and science services for performers, identified through research carried out by Dance UK since 1989.

Through high-quality scientific knowledge, evidence-based practice and better, more affordable access to first-class dance specific healthcare and dance science support services across the UK, NIDMS work to enhance dancers’ health, wellbeing and performance. 

NIDMS has six nationwide partners that form the core of the Institute; these are One Dance UK, Birmingham Royal Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, University of Birmingham and the University of Wolverhampton.  NIDMS also works with ​clinical partners who are integral in the establishment of further NHS dance injury clinics and support the ongoing work and mission of the NIDMS partners.

Visit the NIDMS website

Meet the Clinical Partners

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham is recognised as one of the leading teaching hospitals in Europe and has an international reputation for quality care, clinical training and research. The hospital is run by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) and delivers care in the UK’s newest and largest single-site hospital.

​UHB provides direct clinical services to over 800,000 patients every year, serving a regional, national and international population. It provides care across the full range of clinical specialities and has forged relationships with hospitals in many different countries to provide training and share clinical expertise.

A dance injury clinic is delivered within the hospital’s Sport and Exercise Medicine Service, led by Locum Consultant in Sport and Exercise Medicine, Dr Kim Gregory and Consultant Physiotherapist, Emma Batchelor.

The Royal United Hospital Bath has one of the longest-running Sports Injuries Clinics in the Country. In conjunction with NIDMS and the Dance Again Foundation, this service will now provide multidisciplinary and expert care for treating and rehabilitating dance injuries. This service will enable dancers in the South West of England to receive expert care within the NHS. The experienced multidisciplinary team have worked together for many years in the treatment of Sports Injuries. The team includes Dr Tim Jenkinson, Consultant Rheumatologist at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases; Dr Kevin Gruffydd-Jones, a General Practitioner with a specialist interest in Sports Injuries; and Mr Tristan Barton, an Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Royal United Hospital, with a specialist interest in Foot and Ankle Surgery and Sports Injuries to the lower limb.

The Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, part of Queen Mary, University of London, runs the UK's oldest Sport and Exercise Medicine course.  Both M.Sc, and intercalated B.Sc degrees are offered here, and leading figures in the field of SEM and allied subjects lecture on these courses.  This includes modules on dance medicine led by Dr Manuela Angioi, who sits on the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS) research committee and has published numerous studies in the field of MSK injury and physical fitness of professional and pre-professional dancers.

​An extensive multi-disciplinary team supports the NHS clinic held at Mile End Hospital, with under and post-grad students taking an active part in patient care.  Both the Royal London and Newham Hospitals are part of a direct referral system to this clinic for acute dance injuries (less than 72 hours old), and dancers are seen and assessed by a highly experienced medical team including Dr Ian Beasley, Dr Nikos Malliaropoulos, and Dr Ritan Mehta, who are all well versed in dealing with performers at all levels.  This setting is also the basis of the clinical teaching taking place at the Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine.

Wolverhampton taster session attendee

quote mark I loved my taster screening session! It was all new to me, the physio/the screen test so I was very excited to take part. I discovered habits of my body that I didn't know I had. The staff were very helpful in breaking down the science of my body and what I can do to get rid of my bad habits to optimise my performance. I received tips of how I can tweak my training to make sure I am really pushing myself and I really appreciated that. All in all, it was a fun session and lots of insightful information was shared. I would highly recommend anyone who is considering to try out this taster session to DO IT!

One Dance UK member

quote mark It is so good to see One Dance UK out there, fighting the good fight!

One Dance UK organisational member

quote mark One Dance UK is our go-to place for just about everything!

Taira Foo - Choreographers Directory member

quote mark "One Dance UK has been the support and help I have needed as a creative in this industry, and I couldn't be more thankful for that. Please could you pass my thanks to all the team and let them know how grateful I am for all the amazing work they do for our industry."