In this interview, we speak with Adnan Sharaf, Consultant Psychiatrist at Gateway Recovery Centre, about his career journey, his decision to move into psychiatry later in life, and his first impressions of working at Elysium. Having joined the organisation recently, Adnan shares a fresh perspective on what drew him to the role, how he has been welcomed into the service, and why feeling valued and listened to is so important in delivering high‑quality patient care.
Q:Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you came into psychiatry?
I came into psychiatry relatively late in my career. I qualified at a time when you could be a bit of a nomad in medicine, so I was fortunate to experience a range of different areas. I had worked in general medicine, tropical medicine, anaesthetics, intensive care, and also spent time doing NGO work.
By my late thirties, I realised that some of those specialties weren’t things I wanted to be doing for the next twenty years. I was feeling dissatisfied and needed a change. A close friend of mine, who is a psychiatrist, suggested I give psychiatry a try. I didn’t go into it with a grand plan, but almost immediately I felt that I wished I’d done it twenty years earlier. It turned out to be a really good decision.
Q.Did you always want to go into medicine?
Yes, I think I did, although I don’t fully remember why. From a young age I was quite driven towards medicine and didn’t seriously consider doing anything else. Like any career, it isn’t perfect, but for me the positives have always outweighed the negatives, and overall it’s been very good.
Q.Why did you choose to join Elysium?
The same friend who encouraged me into psychiatry has worked at Elysium for around 13 or 14 years. He previously worked as an NHS consultant and is now a forensic psychiatrist. He spoke very positively about Elysium and said he couldn’t imagine going back to his previous employer, which really resonated with me.
When I was looking for new roles and approached Elysium, I noticed immediately how welcoming and interested people were. They took the time to get to know me as an individual. I didn’t experience that same warmth or positivity when speaking to other organisations, including NHS roles and the independent sector. That made a big difference.
Q.How have you found your first month so far?
It’s been really good. From the beginning, the organisation has been welcoming and inclusive. I’ve felt valued and involved, rather than treated as someone just coming in to fill a role.
Something that stood out was being involved straight away in running one of the acute wards. I wasn’t treated as an outsider – I’ve been included in decisions about how the ward operates now and how it will develop in the future. That gave me a strong sense of being trusted and respected from day one.
Q. Have you found the work meaningful so far?
It’s still early days, but I think being open and honest – both with service users and colleagues – is hugely important. For the people under my care, being clear about what I can and can’t do builds trust. I can already think of a couple of patients who really valued that straightforward, honest approach.
Q. How has Elysium supported your professional development?
What I’ve been told – and what I’ve already seen – is that there are real opportunities to develop professionally, especially if you have particular areas of interest. I’ve felt encouraged to contribute ideas and input, rather than just follow existing processes.
That sense of being involved in service development so early on is something I’ve really appreciated.
Q. What would you say to someone considering joining Elysium?
I would say that it’s a genuinely welcoming organisation. Everyone I’ve met at Gateway, regardless of role, has been friendly and supportive. There’s a real interest in you as an individual, rather than seeing you as someone who just turns up and does the work.
People listen to what you have to say, and your opinion matters. That makes you feel valued and makes the work feel meaningful, rather than just a tick‑box exercise.
Q. What is it like working at Gateway specifically?
It’s a really cheerful place. People smile, say good morning, and take an interest in how you’re doing. Staff don’t look exhausted or at the end of their tether, which I experienced in my previous role.
One thing that particularly struck me is the daily multidisciplinary morning meeting. The whole team comes together to discuss challenges, positives, and concerns. Doctors, nurses, psychologists, and social workers all contribute, and it works very well.
Even after just a month, I already have a good understanding of what’s going on with patients across the ward. That means if I need to cover for a colleague, I’m not starting from scratch or having to trawl through notes. It’s better for patients and better for the team.
Q. How was your induction and onboarding experience?
I completed a week of corporate induction before starting clinical work. I was also given a two‑day handover period with my predecessor, who stayed on specifically to support the transition. I wasn’t expecting that, but it was extremely helpful and made the first few days much smoother.
That level of preparation and support really stood out to me.
If you are considering a new opportunity, Elysium offers more than just a workplace—it provides a supportive, versatile and enriching environment where you can grow, learn, and truly make a difference. Whether you’re starting out, looking to develop your expertise, or aspiring to take on leadership roles, Elysium offers a culture of respect, professional development, and collaboration.
If you value a career where you feel heard, supported, and empowered to shape the future of mental health care, Elysium could be the perfect place for you. With opportunities to progress, access to exceptional learning resources, and a team that genuinely has each other’s back, it’s a company where your passion and dedication will be valued.
To view all our Psychiatry vacancies, please click here.