Geriatric medicine is a multi-disciplinary service, providing in and out of hospital care, and is a part of Adelaide Geriatrics Training and Research With Aged Care (GTRAC) Centre.
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH) specialist geriatric medicine service provides for a full range of specialist geriatrics services, in and out of hospital, and is also a professorial service, home to the Adelaide Geriatrics Training and Research With Aged Care (GTRAC) Centre.
The overarching aim of this multi-disciplinary clinical and academic service is through collaborative clinical practice, research and training to deliver positive outcomes for the health and wellbeing of older people.
The strategic goals are to:
- promote innovation and best practice in the clinical care of older people, helping older people achieve their goals in relation to well-being and independence
- provide for training, research and mentoring in geriatric medicine and gerontology
- build, maintain and promote collaborative relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders to inform our clinical, training and research programs and facilitate the effective translation of clinical evidence into practice.
Our guiding principles are:
- Respect: We will treat people with dignity and respect
- Inclusivity: We will strive to include our community and embrace diversity
- Collaboration: We will work with others to deliver positive outcomes
- Communication: We will achieve knowledge translation by communicating and sharing effectively
- Innovation: We will explore new frontiers in our research and training programs
- Excellence: We aim to excel in all we do.
What we do
In hospital at TQEH, we provide:
- for inpatient geriatric evaluation and management care and some acute care in South Ground
- geriatric medicine liaison service, including orthogeriatrics)
- consultation services (including to the inpatient psychogeriatric service).
In the community, we provide:
- specialist governance and input to the CALHN Transition Care Program,
- specialist governance and input into the CALHN Falls Prevention Program
- outpatient clinics focused on dementia diagnosis and management, falls assessment and prevention and movement disorders, focused towards those frail.
- some community geriatrician assessments when requested by general practitioners
- outreach specialist consultation to Port Lincoln and Whyalla.
Our team
- Professor Renuka Visvanathan – Head of Unit
- A/Prof Solomon Yu- Deputy Head of Unit
- Dr Faizal Ibrahim
- Dr Pazhvoor Shibu
- Dr Shailaja Nair
- Dr Khai Tam
- Dr Kareeann Khow
- Dr Bavand Bikdelli
- Dr Reena Tewari
- Dr Fin Cai
- Dr Thanuja De Silva
- Nurse Consultant Geriatric Medicine Liaison- Ms Carla Smyth
- Nurse Unit Manager Ward South Ground- Ms Emma Potts (acting)
- Nurse Unit Manager CALHN TCP/Falls Prevention- Ms Kathryn Smith
- Ms Maree Braithwaite
- Mr Matt Ruggari
- Ms Connie Falcone
- Ms Ernesta Smythe
- Ms Catherine Gilbert
Referrals, admissions and appointments
GPs and other medical practitioners can make a referral to our service by faxing a referral to our department.
Mark attention to the Geriatrician, Aged and Extended Care Services, TQEH.
Fax referrals to 8222 8593.
Urgent referrals by general practitioners or other medical practitioners are to be made via our GEM Liaison Service.
Call one of our geriatricians, GEM Liaison Registrar or GEM Liaison Nurse to discuss further.
Call the GEM team via TQEH switchboard, phone 8222 6000.
Urgent referrals by general practitioners or other medical practitioners can be made by discussing the case with the Community Geriatrician or Registrar via TQEH switchboard, phone 8222 6000.
We encourage referrals to include the following relevant information:
- patient demographics
- medical
- function
- psychosocial information.
Results from relevant investigations will be important to provide to maximise the benefits from the consultation.
We do not accept referrals for capacity assessment.
Contact
Open Monday to Friday 8.00am to 5.00pm
Location: TQEH, Tower building, Level 8B
Delivery location: Dx 465119