Krishma Gupta was born in Glasgow, Scotland. She completed her BSc (Hons) in Podiatric Medicine at Glasgow Caledonian University qualifying with a 1st class degree in 2009. Her first job after qualifying was at NHS Fife where she had a 4-hour commute every day. Luckily this was only for 1 year before she moved closer to home and was able to work with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. She moved to London in 2011 when she got married and continued with the NHS in Haringey. Her work as a Podiatrist involves consulting with high risk Diabetic patients, providing Nail Surgery, Biomechanics and routine foot-care treatment. With the help and support of her husband, Mrs Gupta left the NHS in 2015 and is now successfully running her own busy private clinic, as well as expecting her second child.
1 Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
It has to be London. Despite its craziness, it has a great vibe to it which makes it a great city to work in.
2 What are your proudest achievements?
Personally, it has to be the birth of my son, Eashan. He is such an amazing little boy who never fails to surprise me each and every day.
Professionally, it has to be the policy I introduced whilst working at NHS Haringey. This policy helped to substantially increase the number of patients seen and decrease waiting lists by carrying out phone reviews which meant that the patient did not need to come into the clinic unnecessarily.
3 What inspires you?
My Patients and their pain. When you are in a profession which can make a great deal of difference to the quality of life, there is no bigger inspiration. Podiatry treatment can often be the key thing between somebody getting out and about or being housebound. This is especially true with the elderly. Our treatment and care with diabetic patients is often the thing that can save them from losing a leg or catching a life-threatening infection.
4 What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
Whilst running my own private practice, I have implemented various ideas, which have helped with improving patient care as well as monitoring costs. These ideas could essentially be replicated within the NHS. However, due to the managerial structure and procedures in decision making, it would be a battle to easily apply these ideas. This is a scenario that I faced regularly whilst working in the NHS, which eventually made me change my career path to the private sector.
5 Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My Husband. He has always pushed me to try and excel at whatever I do and has always encouraged me never to be satisfied with less than 110%. His dedication and commitment to not only his own work but also in helping me logistically with my private practice is truly inspiring. Additionally, it goes without saying that if it wasn’t for my Mum, I probably would not have qualified in the first place! Her dedication to ensuring I spent all my free time studying has to be recognised.
6 What is the best aspect about your current role?
The flexibility. I can manage my own time and balance it well between work as well as family time. Additionally, the freedom to give the patient the right amount of time they actually need for their treatment rather than reaching targets only based on the number of patients I can see in an hour.
7 And the worst?
The stress and long hours (sometimes!). Let’s face it, no matter how successful a business is, it comes with a constant battle, which you, as the owner, must deal with.
8 What are your long-term goals?
Ideally, I would like to expand the clinic so that I can offer a further range of services to my patients. Good quality foot care should be available to everybody rather than just the ones that can afford to pay for it.
9 If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I would like to see more money invested in the elderly. Loneliness and depression are society’s biggest problem and if that was tackled head on, it would improve the overall wellbeing of the patient. More time and money should be spent on prevention rather than trying to cure a problem. Educating and empowering the patient about their illness and general health would also go a long way. Unfortunately, all these things require time and money.
10 If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why.
Princess Diana, as she is true representation of humanity. We can all learn something from her, especially how to treat others.
