Dr Simon Smale

Qualifications

B.Med Sci (2.1) , BM , BS , FRCP

GMC number: 3669215

Practising since: 1992

Specialties

Gastroenterology, General (internal) Medicine

Consultation times

  • Friday 13:00–18:30
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01904 233225

About

Dr Simon Smale attended Medical School in Nottingham before undertaking his early training in Queens Medical Centre and then Northampton. He then moved to London where, after a brief period at the Royal Free Hospital working for Professor Dame Carol Black, he moved to King’s College Hospital under the mentorship of the late Dr Ian Forgacs.

Having completed his higher specialist training, he obtained his first consultant appointment in York in 2005. In 2009 he won the York Press Healthcare Hero Award for providing excellence in patient care.

In 2014/15 Dr Smale was one of the Specialist Advisors to NICE on the topic of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Between 2014 and early 2016 he was Medical Director of a digital health start-up providing integrated behaviour change programs for patients with chronic disease, combining multi-professional expertise with apps and devices, to support behaviour change.

In August 2018 he moved to Manchester to further develop his interests in functional gastroenterology and the microbiome. He subsequently took on the role of Clinical Director for GI Medicine and Surgery for Manchester Foundation Trust.

He has a track record, as a trustee within the charitable sector, an entrepreneur and a clinician, in using technology and diligent thought about process to enhance the experience of patients and the wider public. He also has a strong interest in patient safety and has held a number of leadership roles relating to this locally, including lead for C. difficle related diarrhoea, and Ward Round Safety and has spoken at national meetings on these topics.

He joined Community Health and Eyecare (CHEC) in 2024 as their National Clinical Director and enjoyed helping to build new collaborations, while developing their Community Gastroenterology Service. He then moved back to York and Scarborough NHS Trust in 2025.

Mr Smale specialises in the following treatments, tests and scans at Nuffield Health York Hospital:

Special interests

  • Abdominal pain
  • Altered bowel habit
  • Constipation and diarrhoea
  • Heartburn
  • Indigestion
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Malabsorption
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Pelvic pain
  • Abdominal swelling.

Other interests

Dr Smale has a strong interest in developing, systems and processes, that support effective team working and patient empowerment. The most important part of medical care is often what the patient does on the 360days of the year they do not see the doctor!

Personal interests

Dr Smale has competed as an age-group athlete for Great Britain at two World Championships (Duathlon and Triathlon 2011) and a European Championship. He has also completed a number of “iron distance” events.

He has previously enjoyed long-distance fell running and has failed to complete the “Bob Graham Round” on 3 occasions. He enjoys long walks in the fells with his family (and the occasional long run). In 2016 he climbed Kilimanjaro.

He is a keen cyclist and completed the Cent Cols Challenge (2015), a 2000km cycle ride that includes 10 days of climbing on average 5000metres a day.

Dr Smale is an avid reader, particularly of history and cycling and is a member of the Rapha Cycling Club.

Treatments and tests offered by Dr Simon Smale at Nuffield Health

  • Polypectomy
  • Rheumatology profiles
  • Colonoscopy
  • Gastroscopy (or gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy)
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy
  • Therapeutic Endoscopy
  • Gastrointestinal tract
  • Vitamin deficiency test
  • Osteoporosis screen
  • Gluten sensitivity screening

Locations Dr Simon Smale works with

  •  

    Haxby Road, York, YO31 8TA

    01904 233225
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Related experience

Research

Dr Smale undertook three years of research into the use of faecal markers (particularly calprotectin) in gastrointestinal disease.

Through this work, based at King’s in London he then developed a collaboration with Prof Q Aziz (currently Professor of Neuro-gastroenterology at the Royal London Hospital) and this has led to a long-term interest in functional gastrointestinal disease. 

Dr Smale has published a number of publications, including original articles, book chapters and abstracts. He has spoken at several national and international meetings including at the plenary session of the American Gastroenterology Association. 

Memberships

  • Royal College of Physicians
  • Medical Protection Society

Other posts held

  • Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist at York Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Insurers Dr Simon Smale works with

Dr Simon Smale works with the following private medical insurance providers:

  • Aviva Health
  • AXA Health
  • Bupa
  • Cigna
  • Westfield Health WPA

Declaration

Dr Simon Smale does not hold a share or financial interest in this hospital, another Nuffield Health hospital or the company.

Dr Simon Smale does not have a share or financial interest in equipment used at this hospital or another Nuffield Health hospital.

Dr Simon Smale does not hold any paid advisory role(s) at this hospital or on behalf of Nuffield Health.