The Geriatric Medicine Clinic (GMC) is a specialist assessment service for older people with multiple age related health conditions affecting daily function and quality of life.
All clients receive an initial phone assessment by an Allied Health clinician followed by a comprehensive geriatric assessment by a specialist Geriatrician. Working with the client, the team will develop a management plan to address all health and psychosocial needs, in accordance with what matters most to the client. Referrals may be made to relevant services as required and ongoing care is handed back to the primary physician (GP).
Referrals
Referral must be addressed to Geriatric Medicine Clinic. Please include: a clear reason for referral and attach a recent medical summary, including list of current medications, allergies and results of all relevant recent investigations.
The GP Referral Template located within the Mastercare Referralnet system is the preferred referral tool.
For faxed referrals: FAX 9125 5862
Categories for appointment
| Clinical Description | Estimated wait time | |
|---|---|---|
| Routine | Cients over the age of 65 with complex or multiple medical and psychosocial conditions currently negatively impacting daily function or quality of life. | Appointment offered in turn |
| Category 1/2 | N/A | N/A |
| Emergency | This clinic is not an emergency service and cannot respond to emergency medical needs. | N/A |
Eligibility criteria
- Over 65 years old.
- Person requires specialist geriatric assessment and an individualised management plan for multiple medical or psychosocial conditions affecting the person’s daily function or quality of life.
- Polypharmacy or medication review.
- Advanced Dementia associated with behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Clients with Mild Cognitive Impairment or suspected early onset dementia are more suited to the CDAMS Clinic.
- Frailty and functional decline including falls, malnutrition, continence issues, pain, carer stress.
- End of life planning and discussion.
Exclusion criteria
- Requests for capacity assessment.
- Referrals to complete NDIS, VCAT, dementia and cognition supplement, insurance or fitness to drive reports.
- Requests for psychiatric assessment and management.
- Referrals for cognitive assessment of clients with cognitive issues relating to an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) or Intellectual disability and with no suspicion of a neurocognitive diagnosis.
Make a referral
All referrals to this clinic must contain the following information.
Referral: Date of referral, Speciality, Referring practitioner, Provider Number, Referrer’s signature.
Patient Demographic: Full name, Date of birth, Postal address, Contact numbers, Medicare Number, Interpreter required.
Clinical: Reason for referral, Duration of symptoms, Management to date, Past medical history, Current medications, Allergies, Diagnostics as per referral guidelines X-ray results/reports must be within the last 6 months.