Sports / Featured expert
Mr James Metcalfe
MB ChB, FRCS (Ed) (Tr & Orth)
Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon: complex lower limb trauma, foot and ankle surgery and paediatric orthopaedics
- Based in
- Plymouth, Devon (clinics in Plymouth, Birmingham and London)
- Has reported on
- Personal injury claims
Clinical negligence claims
Biography
Mr James Metcalfe is a Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Derriford Hospital, where he has been a consultant since 2006. Derriford has been a designated Major Trauma Centre since 2012, and around 40% of his practice is trauma, including a specialist rota for paediatric trauma. He has a specialist interest in complex lower limb trauma and limb reconstruction, adult foot and ankle surgery, and paediatric orthopaedics, where he is one of three consultants with a special interest in children's orthopaedics and foot and ankle conditions.
He qualified in medicine at the University of Birmingham in 1993 and was awarded the FRCS (Trauma & Orthopaedics) in 2004. He has run a private practice at the Plymouth Nuffield Hospital since 2006, mainly in adult foot and ankle surgery, and teaches medical students at the Peninsula Medical School. Overseas, he has delivered paediatric orthopaedic clinics and deformity correction surgery in India and Nepal, and co-founded the charity Neverest Orthopaedics to fund teaching trips to Nepal.
Areas of expertise
- Complex lower limb trauma and limb reconstruction
- Fractures and soft tissue injuries of the leg, ankle and foot
- Adult foot and ankle surgery
- Paediatric orthopaedics and paediatric trauma
- Children's foot and ankle deformity
Typical instructions
- Condition and prognosis after lower limb, foot and ankle injuries in personal injury claims
- The standard of orthopaedic and foot and ankle care in clinical negligence claims
- Orthopaedic injuries and outcomes in children
Expert witness experience
Mr Metcalfe has undertaken medico-legal work since 2006, after completing the Inns of Court School of Law expert witness course, and produced more than 100 reports in 2025. His practice is around 90% personal injury, and he prepares about 10 clinical negligence reports a year; around 85% of his instructions come from claimants. He sees clients in Plymouth, Birmingham and London; the average wait for an appointment is about six weeks and the average turnaround about eight weeks.
Qualifications
- MB ChB, University of Birmingham (1993)
- FRCS Part One, Ireland (1995)
- FRCS, Edinburgh (1998)
- FRCS (Trauma & Orthopaedics) (2004)
Memberships and expert witness training
- Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
- British Orthopaedic Association
- British Foot and Ankle Society
- British Society for Children's Orthopaedic Surgery
- Medico-legal Expert Witness Course, Inns of Court School of Law
- Advanced medico-legal expert training and courtroom skills training
FAQ
Common questions
How do I instruct an orthopaedic expert?
Tell us about the matter using the form on this page: the issues, the forum and any deadline. We check availability and conflicts, then introduce you so you can agree the instruction directly.
Where does Mr Metcalfe see clients?
He holds medico-legal clinics in Plymouth, Birmingham (Edgbaston) and London (Marylebone).
Does Mr Metcalfe owe a duty to the court?
Yes. Like every expert instructed through us, his overriding duty is to the court, not to the party paying for the report.
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