Georgia is currently interim matron at The Lane Fox Remeo Respiratory Centre, our respiratory and ventilation service in Surrey, where she oversees the care of patients with complex respiratory needs.

Her appointment marks the latest chapter in a career that began in Athens and led her to the UK in 2014, driven by a deep commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care.

A First Step into Nursing, Sparked at Home

Georgia’s path into nursing didn’t start in a lecture hall. It began at home during her teenage years in Athens. “I was about 16 or 17 when my grandparents became unwell,” she recalls. “They needed a lot of care, and I was helping out at home. It wasn’t something I’d thought about before, but seeing the difference that care made – it just stayed with me.”

That experience led her to apply to study nursing in Athens, where she completed a four-year degree. “It wasn’t about chasing a title or a job. I just knew I wanted to be the person who could make that kind of difference.”

A Challenging Start to a Career in Greece

After qualifying, Georgia worked in a cardiac intensive care unit. The clinical work was rewarding, but the healthcare system at the time was under enormous strain. “There was so much uncertainty in Greece back then, politically and economically. Permanent jobs in healthcare were rare, and many contracts were short-term,” she explains.

She adds, “You could work so hard but still not have the tools to give the care you wanted to. That’s difficult, especially when you’re just starting and full of hope.”

Moving to the UK: A Leap of Faith

In 2014, Georgia took a significant step: she moved to the UK to start a new job at The Lane Fox Remeo Respiratory Centre in Surrey. “It was a new job, a new country, a new lifestyle,” she says. “I was 25, still living at home, and suddenly I was in a new city, learning how to live on my own. Even going to the supermarket was unfamiliar.”

What helped her through that period, she says, were the people. “I managed to form strong relationships with my colleagues, and some of those friendships are still so important to me today.

The people I met in those early years – they helped shape my journey. We were all building something from the ground up, and I think that made it special.

We grew together.”

A New Kind of Nursing

The role at Remeo opened Georgia’s eyes to a different side of nursing. “This wasn’t just about treating illness – it was about supporting people through recovery, helping them regain their lives after critical illness,” she says.

She worked with patients who stayed for months, sometimes over a year. “That time created space for genuine human connection and for me to support not only the medical aspects of recovery but also the emotional and social aspects of the journey”.

Growth, Step by Step

Over time, Georgia progressed from a Band 5 nurse to a Band 6 nurse, later becoming Deputy Clinical Manager. She also completed specialist training in advanced respiratory care and mentorship, equipping her to teach and support other staff.

“Helping new nurses and students is something I love,” she says. “It’s about passing on what you’ve learned, but also creating a space where people feel supported.”

She’s clear that her growth has been a shared effort. “It was my determination, yes, but also the environment here. People encouraged me, listened to me, and gave me opportunities to develop. That’s something I value.”

Leading Without Losing the Human Touch

Now, in her interim matron role, Georgia balances leadership responsibilities with the values that drew her to nursing in the first place. “I don’t want to lose that closeness to patients,” she says. “Leadership is important – but so is being able to sit with someone, listen, connect.”

Asked how she learned to manage the more difficult emotional parts of the job, Georgia is thoughtful: “There’s no formal training for that. It’s not a checklist. You learn through experience through empathy. It comes from recognising that you’re dealing with people – not just conditions.”

Advice for Others Starting Fresh

Georgia is open about the challenges of moving to a new country and starting over. “It’s not easy. But the most important thing is to be open. Ask for help. Build relationships. That’s what will carry you through.”

Looking back, she’s proud of what she’s built. “The first two years were hard – but they were also when I built something strong. Not just a career, but a life.”