“I am passionate about supporting clinical excellence"
Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust has appointed Dr Sarb Clare as its new medical director, making her one of a small number of British Asian women to hold a senior leadership position within the NHS.
A nationally renowned clinician, innovator and healthcare leader, Dr Clare brings extensive experience in clinical innovation, healthcare transformation and service redesign.
She is also a respected consultant, published author and advocate for women in medicine, with a national reputation for championing diversity in healthcare leadership and improving patient care.
Having served the Trust for 18 years, Dr Clare has played a significant role in several major NHS developments, including helping establish Acute Internal Medicine as a recognised speciality and leading key aspects of the NHS response during the Covid-19 pandemic.
She has also developed innovative models of integrated community care.
Dr Clare clinically led the transition to Midland Metropolitan University Hospital and pioneered approaches to patient flow and capacity management that are now used nationally and internationally.
Dr Clare said: “With 18 years serving the Trust, it is a tremendous privilege to be appointed Medical Director at such an important and exciting stage in its journey.
“I am passionate about supporting clinical excellence, developing our workforce and ensuring patients receive the highest standards of care.
“I look forward to working with colleagues, patients and partners to help shape the future of healthcare across our communities.”
The appointment comes as Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust strengthens its role within the Black Country Provider Collaborative Group, working alongside The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust to improve services and strengthen clinical leadership across both organisations.
Under the group’s leadership structure, the medical directors at both trusts report to Dr Mark Anderson, group chief medical officer, supporting greater collaboration, clinical leadership and service improvement.
Dr Anderson said:
“Dr Clare is an outstanding clinical leader with a proven track record of innovation, delivery and improving care for patients.”
“She combines exceptional clinical expertise with a deep understanding of our communities and a strong commitment to developing the next generation of healthcare professionals.
“Her appointment strengthens our clinical leadership at an important time for both organisations as we continue to work more closely together across the group to improve services, tackle health inequalities and deliver the best possible care for local people.”
As medical director, Dr Clare will provide professional leadership for the Trust’s medical workforce, support quality improvement and patient safety programmes, and help shape future healthcare delivery across Sandwell, West Birmingham and the wider Black Country.
