Geethani followed in her mother and father’s footsteps when she started her career in the NHS and has said that it was their dedication to their roles that inspired her. Geethani has worked closely with the trusts communications teams and has said that one of her favourite parts of her job is hearing the stories of the patients and the interaction they had with the clinical teams who treat them. In her spare time Geethani enjoys all things dance, and in particular Strictly Come Dancing. She also enjoys trying new cuisines, although from the sounds of it, nothing matches up to her mother’s squid curry! Yum.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication – you are the difference!

Name: Geethani

Trust Name: South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Staff Group: Admin and Clerical

Years working for NHS: 4-5

Years working for NHS Professionals: 1-3 years

Why do you love working for the NHS?

The best feeling is when you make any positive difference to patients’ lives. For me, working in a non-clinical area, even the seemingly small actions of easing the administration process or making sure their referral journey runs smoothly can be greatly appreciated at what is often a vulnerable time for many.

Two great institutions are celebrating their 70th birthday this year – the world’s first completely free healthcare service and the world’s most popular word game in history. Granted, I’ve made a very tenuous link between the NHS and Scrabble respectively but both have proved their mark in our culture through their longevity and popularity.

Since its inception, the NHS has been a can-do organisation and, as a flexible worker in particular, my approach has to be the same. My placements can often mean having to ‘hit the ground running’ and to learn quickly new systems and structures but, whether you’re flexible or permanent, the common strength of all NHS staff is that they go the extra mile for patients, day in, day out.

How does flexible working make a difference to your life?

I came to NHS Professionals at a crossroads in life when I wanted time to consider potential changes professionally. Flexible working has its inherent insecurity but the trade-off is that it allows you to absorb bumps whilst earning a wage. Overall, I’ve benefited from an element of freedom to define a working arrangement that supports my current circumstances.

What has been your proudest moment working for the NHS?

Much of my NHS experience has been working within the Communications Teams. One of my favourite aspects of the job was hearing the stories of patients and not only promoting their experiences but also promoting the care and interaction they had with their clinical teams.

I often saw care at close hand, from the privilege of observing an operation on a lady who had two identical brain operations, by the same surgeon, in the same hospital, 18 years apart, to meeting the then longest-surviving kidney dialysis patient in the world. Much of their wider care was given by flexible workers who helped to keep the momentum going around the clock.

Tell us about your past…

My family is originally from Sri Lanka and I have been lucky enough to have also lived in The Netherlands, France and Spain working in different public and private settings. My parents, along with many other immigrants, came to Britain in the early 1970s to support the NHS, a service that despite current tightening resources and political impact remains one of the country’s best loved treasures. My father worked as a doctor and my mother a carer so between them they saw people at key touch-points in their lives, from cradle to grave. The dedication and vocation that they both demonstrated throughout their careers was not only my inspiration for working in the

NHS but also is reflective of the incredible efforts of all frontline staff.

Much has changed since the NHS began in 1948 but what hasn’t is the principle of delivering the very best physical and mental health care, free at the point of use, which meets everyone's needs. As two great institutions continue to celebrate their 70th birthdays, the value of ‘Flexible’ in the famous board game I mentioned may not seem much (20 points minimum) but its value in the NHS workforce is priceless.

Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of work?

I am a massive dance fan. I have in the past enjoyed amateur Ballroom and Latin American training, but now settle for more social Zumba classes and live the sparkle vicariously through the glitterball of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. I also enjoy experimenting with and tasting new recipes and cuisines, though have yet to taste much that beats some of the dishes from my homeland, Sri Lanka.

You can take 3 items with you when stranded on a desert island, what do you take?

Item #1 Full range of songs by Patsy Cline

Item #2 Complete boxset of Frasier

Item #3 My mum’s squid curry