Sarah has been a GP for many years and, despite promising she would never return to the Southampton area once leaving for university in Leicester, has been based in west Hampshire for over a quarter of a century. Her interest in clinical leadership started informally with various doctors’ mess roles organising big social events and hospital shows. However, a more formal and serious career was launched when Sarah became a local Primary Care Group chairman. She wanted to combine her role as a GP with hospital medicine, so took up a role as assistant medical director at Southampton General Hospital. Her interest in working across boundaries was further developed with leadership roles for the Department of Health.
With the introduction of CCGs, Sarah set about leading the development of the local CCG for west Hampshire. Her colleagues elected her into the role of Clinical Chairman which she has continued since day one. Sarah’s interest in working across boundaries has helped establish her role, as the job involves working with 51 local GP surgeries, local hospitals and other health trusts, local councils, the voluntary sector and many others. She has always had an interest in improving patient experience, and as a commissioner is keen to see many neglected services step into the spotlight and focus attention on improving patient experience.
Outside of work, Sarah is kept busy with four stepchildren, a husband who runs his own business, and a close family who live in different corners of England and Europe.