Lift as you climb: Dr Sarb Clare

‘Lift as you climb’. That has been the motto of Dr Sarb Clare MBE, a mother, wife and the deputy medical director and acute medical consultant at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.

But the list doesn’t stop there.

She is also a flamenco dancer, a marathon runner, the first female president of the West Midlands Physicians Association after 74 years and our trailblazing woman of health.

“I come for a very humble background,” Sarb says while speaking on Teams.

“I always strive to work hard, and I've done and achieved everything by myself. Sadly, it's not been easy as many doors have had to be beaten down and with resilience and determination I have kept going”.

“Failure and disappointment has been instrumental in my journey to work harder and grow as an individual. More importantly it has enabled me to guide and mentor the next generation and build a future for them by opening doors”.

Sarb now holds one of the most important jobs at the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust and is leading the clinical team into the new hospital Midlands Metropolitan University Hospital.

“Being an acute medical consultant, I look after the most sickest patients in the hospital and that is in itself a very humbling career.”

And her leadership style?

“It’s all about having meaningful connections and ensuring my team connects with the approach, behaviour, and words.

“Mutual respect is crucial; acknowledging that leadership is a two-way street and embracing diverse views paves the wat to quality decisions. Over the years, I have found that this style works well within the team as it lifts everyone up to achieve their own potential.”

During the Covid-19 crisis Sarb treated hundreds of coronavirus patients at the West Midlands NHS Trust and she was later awarded an MBE for her dedication to the profession.

She was also a stern critic about women not having proper PPE during the crisis and the absence of women in places of power to change the narrative. 

Giving a TEDx Talk in 2020, she said: “The reality is the face masks that should protect us from the Covid virus have been made for men - 5 foot 9, 70 kg and Caucasian. We have narrow faces, thinner faces, remained smaller.

“We are putting ourselves at risk and we already know about the data and of the unfortunate deaths that have happened to frontline workers.

“It's not just the masks that don't fit. It's the, the gloves, the gowns and the visors. They just. do not fit us, so we are not protected. 

“But why are we not being heard? Women have been going on for years that PPE doesn't fit us because the women are not at the top to be able to influence, have a voice and challenge the narrative. We are invisible.”

Fast forward four years, Sarb mentions these changes are still not happening in the wider context.

“I think there’s a lot of talk about gender balance. But in reality, it's still not happening. The sad truth is that there still is no gender balance within circles of power, despite the evidence being very clear that you need that diversity, especially in healthcare, to be able to provide a very high quality and safe service.”

“We need the right leaders in key positions, representing our diverse community—be it minorities or women. Strong leaders at every level, from board to floor. This shift must originate from the top.”

In her role, Sarb has taken many initiatives to make this a possibility including hosting a national conference called Women Empowering Women, a workshop called ‘don't be a bystander, be an upstander’, sessions on banter and the physical abuse of women in the NHS.

Drawing a deeply insightful interview to a close, I ask Sarb what can be done to inspire the next generation of women coming into the health sector.

“Have courage and never give up. Be determined. Surround yourself with positive energy which is absolutely key. Surrounding yourself with the right people and you will fly.

Believe in yourself that you can achieve anything you want in the life.”