Professor Sanders, Professor of Gastroenterology, University of Sheffield, and Consultant Gastroenterologist, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (STH), has been instrumental in improving the lives of adults with coeliac disease, particularly at the specialist gastrointestinal unit at STH. His work has advanced the understanding of gluten’s impact on health and pioneered new approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and patient management.
The specialist gastrointestinal unit in Sheffield has achieved national and international acclaim. In 2019, the centre was named an NHS England National Centre for Refractory Coeliac Disease, one of the rarest and most challenging forms of the condition. The following year, it was designated a World Endoscopy Organisation Centre of Excellence, placing it among the top endoscopy units globally.
The unit manages the UK’s largest population of coeliac disease patients and has spearheaded innovations that have been adopted into National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, improving care standards nationwide.
Professor Sanders has also transformed clinical protocols in gastrostomy insertion, a procedure that enables direct nutrition delivery to the stomach. His development of a scoring system has improved safety and efficiency in this critical area of patient care.
In addition, he has championed the role of dietitians in gastroenterology. He founded the biennial GI Dietetic Meeting in 2017 to support professional development and promote collaborative approaches in dietetic care. His research into group clinics for coeliac disease patients demonstrated that they are as effective as individual appointments, reducing dietetic resource use by 54%.
Commenting on his award, Professor Sanders said: “Sheffield is a real leader in the clinical care of patients with coeliac disease, so I am delighted to have received this honour which recognises the excellent work of our team in delivering the best patient care and innovation.”
Coeliac disease is a serious disease that damages the digestive system and can lead to severe nutrient deficiencies. Thanks to Professor Sanders’ ground-breaking research and the work of his team, patients have access to world-class care and innovative treatments.
The Outstanding Achievement Award highlights Professor Sanders’ dedication to advancing medical practice and improving outcomes for patients with complex nutritional and gastrointestinal needs.