Dr Sarah El Heis

I have witnessed the profound impact skin disease can have on affected individuals, their families and healthcare systems. I have the opportunity to engage with patients presenting with a wide range of dermatological conditions, from common concerns including acne and eczema to more complex cases of psoriasis, melanoma, and autoimmune skin disorders on a weekly basis in my general dermatology clinic.

I am fortunate to also offer help to children in my weekly paediatric dermatology clinic at UHS, which is considered the tertiary center for paediatric dermatology for the region. I lead a three monthly paediatric complex eczema and psoriasis clinic to which patients from the region are referred to and lead the intelligent triage/ advice and guidance service for paediatric dermatology at UHS. I also co-lead a weekly ward round providing inpatient care at UHS. I value the multidisciplinary approach to providing patient-centred care and I often collaborate with other healthcare professionals, including general practitioners, pathologists, and clinicians in other specialties, to ensure comprehensive patient management. I appreciate the diversity of this field and the necessity of tailoring treatments to individual patient needs.

My goal is to provide exceptional, patient-centred care with a focus on medical adult and paediatric dermatology. I am committed to creating a welcoming and professional environment where patients feel heard and valued, and where medical excellence and a high standard service is offered. Equipped with my research background, my approach will emphasise education and prevention, empowering patients with the knowledge to maintain long-term skin health. I am eager to contribute my passion, knowledge, and skills to a private dermatology setting where I can continue to grow as a clinician while delivering outstanding care. I look forward to the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the field and to help patients achieve optimum skin health and confidence.

My clinical work has led me to develop a research interest in early life influences on the risk of atopic eczema in childhood. I successfully defended my thesis on this topic and gained a higher degree in research (DM) in 2017. I co-lead and co-manage a multidisciplinary research team and have learnt a number of skills to achieve operational efficiency. I am the lead author on a number of novel, clinically relevant publications demonstrating the impact of early life influence on offspring risk of atopic eczema including maternal nutritional status, maternal stress and psychological distress, exposure to antibiotics and laxatives and antenatal growth patterns. These publications generated wide media interest with articles and interviews published in Consultant 360, Healio, Mother & Baby and an NIHR highlight on childhood eczema. I have also successfully secured further research grants to allow continued work in collaboration with A*STAR Skin Reseach Lab, Singapore.

My clinical and research expertise have led to invitations to speak at the British Association of Dermatologists meeting, the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology conference and a number of regional meetings. My research aligns with my interest in paediatric dermatology and my strong research background gives me confidence in my clinical practice.

I have supervised and mentored undergraduate research projects, resident doctors, clinical academics, three MSc students, and currently co-supervising a PhD student. I deliver regular teaching for the UoS Allergy MSc and the Dermatology department, and am a Personal Academic Tutor and a clinical supervisor. Currently, I am responsible for organising the Wessex Paediatric Dermatology Network meeting, a twice yearly, regional multidisciplinary meeting that runs twice a year, which has received excellent feedback from clinicians in the region.