Jaya is a consultant in old age psychiatry, based in Swansea. Originally from the state of Tamil Nadu in Southern India, Jaya moved to the UK in 2004 and settled in South Wales. In addition to her consultant role, she also undertakes management roles, supervises post graduate trainees and supports medical student teaching at the university.
Dr Jaya says:
“Growing up, both of my parents were doctors and managed a small private hospital in Salem, Southern India. My close bonds with the staff and patients cemented my early desire to become a doctor. However, it was watching my vibrant grandmother decline from dementia that inspired my specific calling to Old Age Psychiatry. After completing my medical degree (MBBS) in India, I moved to Swansea, Wales in 2004 with my husband and two-year-old son; while I knew exactly who I wanted to help, I was initially unsure what my UK training path would look like.
“My journey to Wales happened entirely by chance. My husband, who is also a psychiatrist, was invited to interview through a fellowship scheme aimed at doctors who had already completed their postgraduate training. He secured a locum consultant job, and the Fellowship scheme paid for his CCT registration, allowing him to work anywhere in England and Wales.
When he told me he had a job in Swansea, Wales, I honestly had to ask, "Where is Wales?" At the time, I didn't even know the United Kingdom had four countries and we had to look it up on a map. The health board sponsored all of us to come over as a family, rather than making him travel alone first.
“We arrived in Swansea on a train from London on a freezing October night. Waiting for us at the station was a lady from the health board’s Human Resources team. She drove us to the rental accommodation they had arranged and even bought us a brand-new duvet and pillows as a welcome present. The very next day, she came back and took us on two different shopping trips, to Asda and the local Indian grocers - so we could stock up on everything we needed and by day two, I was living in a fully-fledged home. The health board even provided my husband with a mobile phone and a car. The incredible support we received gave me the time to study for my PLAB 2, while still looking after our son.
“Eventually, I was offered a clinical attachment in Old Age Psychiatry, followed by a six-month Trust Doctor role in the same hospital. Initially, Old Age Psychiatry wasn’t high on my list of career options, and I was considering becoming a GP or going into Geriatric Medicine, mostly because dementia training and exposure in India were quite limited at the time. But after those six months, I completely fell in love with it. I knew this was exactly what I wanted to do.
“I applied for my training and completed my core training across Hywel Dda and Carmarthen. Shortly after having my second child, I applied for higher training. Due to my family being so settled and happy, I didn't even consider looking outside of Wales - even though it was initially our plan to move to a city like London or Birmingham, which have large Indian populations. I completed my higher training across Merthyr Tydfil, Swansea Bay, and Hywel Dda. Throughout my training, the support from the Wales Deanery, my clinical supervisors and the local health boards was exceptional.
“I then became a consultant in 2013 and was offered a job in Swansea Bay, where I have been ever since. As a new consultant, I was deeply focused on clinical needs, while also managing outpatient clinics, conducting home visits, looking after inpatients, supervising a wonderful team of Community Psychiatric Nurses (CPNs), support workers, and junior doctors.
“Over the past 13 years, the health board has continuously encouraged me to develop my skills and branch out. Thanks to that support, I have been able to become the Appraisal Lead and Antimicrobial Lead for Mental Health, as well as take on the role of Medical Research Lead, acting as the Principal Investigator for several ongoing dementia-related research projects. I was also able to complete a one-year Quality Improvement Advisor Cymru Programme and achieve my Fellowship with the Royal College of Psychiatrists - a milestone that requires a decade as a consultant and an immense dedication to the specialty.
“During my Quality Improvement Cymru programme, I had to run a project with my team at a time when we were stretched incredibly thin due to job vacancies. Despite the pressure, the staff just worked with me. They took the extra work on board, learned from it, and delivered.
To this day, my proudest moments aren't the titles or the fellowships, it’s when my patients and my team tell me I am a good doctor, and that they would choose to work with me any day.
“In Swansea, I found the best of both professional and personal worlds. I took my toddler to a local playgroup 20 years ago and met local women who are still my friends today. We also found a vibrant Indian community within Swansea that has become like family.
“The lifestyle here is unmatched. It isn't a massive, overwhelming city where you feel lost, but you are never in the middle of nowhere. In ten minutes, you can drive to the countryside, or in half an hour, you can see the snow in the Brecon Beacons or drive down to the Gower Peninsula and walk on the beautiful sandy beach. Most importantly, I have never had to work part-time because the work-life balance is so good. You don't spend half your life sitting in traffic, and the cost of living means you get so much more for your money.
“With one child already at university, and the other joining them in a year - I am looking forward to having an "empty nest" and a bit more time on my hands. Professionally, I plan to take on more management roles and use my quality improvement skills for service development. Personally, I cannot wait to dedicate more time to my hobbies: baking, cooking, and reading. The beauty of working in Wales is knowing that my continued career progression will never have to come at the expense of the life I have built outside of work."