Sarah Sabey has received the Edith Elliot Honour in recognition of her outstanding contribution to paediatric dietetics over more than five years locally and regionally in South West Thames.
As a Highly Specialist Paediatric Dietitian at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, she has developed regional dietetic courses, reformed school meals in Croydon and pioneered in-school clinics for children with complex needs.
Her mentorship and leadership have elevated the profession, transformed services and made a lasting impact on patients and families.
Sarah shared what receiving this honour means to her.
What does it mean to you to receive the Edith Elliot honour?
I was shocked and surprised to learn that I have been bestowed the Edith Elliot Honour. I am very proud to receive this honour in recognition of my contribution to the profession.
However, I have only been able to achieve this by working as a member of a team so this honour should be shared with all my colleagues in the many and various teams I have worked with throughout my career.
What drove you to become a dietitian in the first place and be where you are today?
I had always known that I wanted to work with people, particularly children. After dietetics was suggested as a potential career, I went and shadowed a dietitian at the local hospital. Then I knew that this was what I wanted to do.
Who inspires you?
I have met many inspiring dietitians during my career, but mostly my inspiration has always come from the children and families that I have worked with.
It comes from the child who just gets on with managing horrible treatments; the child living with a life-limiting condition making the most of life with a smile; the parents who suddenly have to navigate the emotional roller coaster of having a sick baby in a neonatal unit; the families having to balance the challenges of having several children with differing needs. The ability to help these children and families in some small way is what kept me going to work every day.
What advice would you give to future dietitians?
Spend time ensuring that you have a solid base of knowledge and experience before moving on to specialise. A strong foundation will help you successfully manage the challenges that will come along as your career progresses.
Keep your ears open and grab opportunities that come your way – you never know where they might lead.
Build good relationships by communicating and listening to those around you.
What has been the highlight of your dietetic career to date?
I have been fortunate to have had many opportunities in my career, so it is difficult to pick one highlight.
But one of the things that I have always enjoyed is training and supervising students and dietitians starting out in paediatrics.
It gives me great pleasure to watch them learn, see their confidence grow and then watch them go on to have successful careers of their own.
