Karin Pym is the Clinical Director at Hamilton George Care, a registered nurse with specialist expertise in elderly care, dementia support, and live-in care services across the UK. Drawing on both professional nursing experience and her personal journey caring for her parents with Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia, Karin leads Hamilton George’s clinical team with compassion and precision. In this interview, she shares her story, her approach to matching families with the right carers, and her advice for anyone considering private live-in care.
Q: Why did you decide to become a nurse later in life?
I started my professional career in business and marketing, but after moving to the UK in 2012, I felt it was the right time to follow my long-held ambition of working in healthcare. So I decided to retrain as a nurse at Roehampton University. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and gave me the chance to provide hands-on care, from supporting patients on general wards to looking after people in intensive care.
Q: Why did you choose to focus on elderly care?
That came from my personal experience. My father had Lewy body dementia and my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Caring for them showed me how older people often don’t get the time, dignity, or listening ear they deserve. Spending time with elderly clients, hearing their stories, and supporting their families is what I find most meaningful.
Q: What led you to join Hamilton George Care as Clinical Director?
When my parents became unwell, I dealt with many different carers and care companies. Unfortunately, I found that despite promising professionalism and efficiency, most didn’t deliver. Hamilton George was different. The company takes time to understand clients, their needs, and their personalities, and then carefully matches them with the right carers. That level of detail and commitment to excellence made me want to join and help shape the clinical side of the business.
Q: What does your role as Clinical Director involve?
My role is very varied. I review clients’ clinical needs every day, update drug charts, plan hospital discharges, and carry out comprehensive clinical assessments often in our clients homes. I also work closely with our carers and families, making sure care plans are up to date and that any changes in a client’s health are addressed quickly. It’s a balance of clinical expertise, coordination, and personal support.
Q: How do you match clients with the right carers?
It’s never just about clinical skills. Yes, we look for carers who are highly skilled - for example in PEG feeding or moving and handling - but temperament and compassion matter just as much. I look for carers who see this as a true profession, not just a job. Compassion is something you can’t learn from a book - it has to be part of who you are. When we get the match right, it makes a world of difference, and if we don’t, we act quickly to adjust.
Q: What advice would you give families choosing live-in care for the first time?
I always tell families to share as much information as possible about their loved one - not just their medical needs but their life story, hobbies, background, and personality. The more we know, the better we can create a personalised care plan and find a carer who will truly connect with them.
Q: Can you share a time when you made a real difference for a client and their family?
The case that stands out was a client near Manchester living with metastatic cancer. His family were struggling to get help from GP and NHS services, and his family were overwhelmed. I travelled to their home, assessed his clinical needs, and spent the day coordinating with doctors, occupational therapists, and our carers. We put a clear action plan in place, which gave the family clarity and support. That experience showed me the power of simply being there, listening, and coordinating care.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working at Hamilton George Care?
I love meeting our clients and their families, listening to their stories, and supporting them through their care journey. I also enjoy working closely with our carers, who come from all over the world and bring incredible dedication and experience. And of course, the Hamilton George team in our office is fantastic - we take our work very seriously, but we also support each other and share a lot of laughs.
We are deligthed to have Karin on board to lead the team, enusring the highest stsnadards of care and support for our familes and care team. If you would like to speak with us about how Karin and the team can provide care for you or one of your famly members do get in touch.
Call us on 0330 470 2866
