Vanitha Regunathan is a Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner and works in the Frailty Team at the Royal Surrey County Hospital. Here she shares her #ChooseGeriatrics journey so far.
I am currently working as a Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner within the Frailty Team at Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford. With over 20 years of nursing experience, I trained in India and have primarily focused on emergency nursing across India, Ireland, and England. I never envisioned myself working in geriatrics or frailty care. However, when my funding for ACP training came to an end in late 2023, I found myself at a crossroads and made the brave decision to step into the world of frailty care as a Trainee ACP. I am also supported by the Ted Adams charity in Guildford, which is providing funding for me to complete my ACP training at Surrey University.
At first, I felt nervous and uncertain about where this path would take me. However, today I am truly grateful for that decision. This role has been transformative for me, both professionally and personally. As a practitioner in both acute care and community health, I have the unique opportunity to care for patients not only in the hospital but also in their own homes through the Hospital at Home team. Each patient with frailty I encounter represents a chapter in a book - rich with life experiences and stories that have taught me invaluable lessons. These interactions have enhanced my clinical knowledge, increased my empathy, improved my active listening skills, and shaped me into a reflective practitioner.
Choosing geriatrics has profoundly changed my understanding of medicine. I have learned that healthcare is not merely about treating illness; it’s about seeing the whole person. Working with patients who live with conditions like dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s, alongside their families, has helped me appreciate the importance of compassionate communication, holistic assessment, and the value of time and patience.
I have developed new skills in a person-centred approach, tailoring my methods to meet individual needs through multidisciplinary collaboration. This has involved complex decision-making and navigating sensitive discussions about ReSPECT and end-of-life care. Although these conversations were initially challenging, the support and guidance from my team have helped me grow in both confidence and ability.
What motivates me most is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of some of the most vulnerable individuals in our healthcare system. Geriatric medicine has shown me that care extends far beyond clinical tasks - it is about dignity, empathy, and human connection. Every interaction is a chance to advocate, to listen, and to be a steady presence for someone at a vulnerable time in their life.
This work matters deeply to me because our ageing population deserves care that is not only clinically excellent but also compassionate and person-centred. As a clinician, I see this not just as a professional duty, but as a privilege. Geriatric care has given me purpose, broadened my perspective, and enriched my practice in ways I never expected. It is where I have found my passion—and where I believe I can make the greatest impact.
