Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust has appointed nationally renowned clinician, innovator and healthcare leader Dr Sarb Clare MBE DL as its new Medical Director.
A respected consultant, published author and advocate for women in medicine, Dr Clare brings extensive experience in healthcare transformation, clinical innovation and service redesign. She becomes one of a small number of British Asian women to hold a Medical Director position within the NHS and has established a national reputation for championing diversity in healthcare leadership and improving patient care.
Throughout her career, Dr Clare has been at the forefront of major NHS developments, helping to establish Acute Internal Medicine as a recognised specialty, leading key aspects of the NHS response during the Covid-19 pandemic, and developing innovative models of integrated community care. She also 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.
Commenting on her appointment, 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 as a group with The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust. Under the group’s leadership structure, the Medical Directors at both organisations report to Dr Mark Anderson, Group Chief Medical Officer, supporting greater collaboration, clinical leadership and service improvement across the two trusts.
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 the future of healthcare delivery across Sandwell, West Birmingham and the wider Black Country.