As a rotational physiotherapist I had the opportunity to spend 8months working with the hospital at home team. On my arrival, I was welcomed with open arms by an incredibly supportive and friendly team. Not really knowing what to expect, I initially found the thought of leaving the wards and venturing out into the community daunting; however, a part of me was intrigued and excited to see a different aspect of the patient pathway.  ...

I would like to share my positive experience and my observation. Firstly, throughout my placement, the HAHT staff were so helpful, supportive and friendly. I had a fantastic time and learnt so much along the way. I felt entirely part of the team, which was nice, and the teamwork is great.

During my visits to patients’ homes, I got the opportunity to learn how each patient is unique, and how the nurses were doing everything they could to put the patients’ needs first ...

I first started seriously considering a career in geriatrics when I was in third year of medical school. I was on a general medical ward, and I went with a geriatrics registrar to see a lady in her late 80s with dementia who was a ‘social admission’. Although it would have been easy to have just written ‘medically fit for discharge’ in her notes and moved on, the doctor I was with helped her sit up in bed, refilled her water jug and drew her attention to the beautiful view out of the window. This was the first time I had seen that medicine could be like this and it excited me about medicine in a way that I had not experienced since I started university. ...

Starting my first shift in community geriatrics, I was unsure what to expect. Outside the familiar sterile walls of the hospital and without the reassurance of imaging, bloods and regular observations, I initially felt out of my depth. However, I quickly adapted: learning both clinical and non-clinical tips and tricks ...

I am a SpR in Geriatric and General Medicine in South East London and have spent 2 years on an OOPE with the West Kent Home Treatment Service.

My reflection on community Geriatrics

Having spent all my training in the hospital, 2 years in the community was very daunting to begin with, but I have learnt so much in this role, skills which I can transfer into my training role in the hospital. ...