Once Nathalie Toprak has welcomed them, the other key person in direct contact with the Dispensaire’s beneficiaries is Dylan Matar. Discreetly based behind the front desk, he works day to day as a nurse and safeguarding lead*. He kindly agreed to an interview to tell us a little about himself, but above all about his role at the Dispensaire.

* Safeguarding lead: the person responsible for protecting the safety, integrity and wellbeing of vulnerable people within an organisation.

Aged 32, Dylan came over from Paris 12 years ago to learn English and because ‘London is a city of a thousand career opportunities’. He began a nursing bachelor’s degree at the University of West London, while working for a few months in the endoscopy department at the Cromwell Hospital. He also did agency work for the NHS at Northwick Park Hospital and worked part-time as an assistant & general manager in hospitality. All of this gave him a taste for teamwork, a strong sense of organisation and the emotional intelligence that is essential in his profession.

By chance, he heard that the Dispensaire was looking for a new nurse. He looked into it and was won over by the institution, by the prospect of working in French again, and above all by the more social and holistic scope of the role. He started in December 2024.

He explains his role, as crucial as it is varied:

Dylan is the Dispensaire’s nurse. He is in charge of patients’ care pathways, provides basic first-line treatment and, as needed, helps Nathalie with coordination (with other healthcare professionals, the NHS…). He is also in charge of the social area:

• He reviews applications for help or financial assistance and refers people to various organisations (housing support, etc.);
• He provides valuable emotional support to patients after a difficult medical appointment;
• He coordinates the monthly clinic at the Refugee Centre at Notre-Dame de France church in Leicester Square, alongside Dr de Mesmay.

He also coordinates the Société Clinique events with Dr Flammarion and Dr Bellamy: every quarter, the Dispensaire invites all French-speaking healthcare professionals in London to a talk given by a peer, on topics as varied as antibiotic use, dermatology from childhood to old age, fertility or the menopause.

Finally, Dylan is training lead, which means he organises training sessions for the Dispensaire’s volunteers, such as First Aid and Safeguarding Adult & Child.

☀️ Next month, read the profile of Dr Laura Muñoz, GP and a key figure at the Dispensaire Français. Beyond her clinical work, Laura also serves as Medical Director and Trustee, actively contributing to the development and governance of our charity.

While you wait for the next instalment… Save the date!

Many thanks to Delphine Gourgues, volunteer copywriter, for creating this series of profiles!