Care of the older person service is a specialist team of clinicians who have a special interest in geriatric medicine such as cardio-geriatrics, ortho-geriatrics, onco-geriatrics, dementia, POP’s (peri-operative medicine for older people having surgery), movement disorders, Parkinson’s disease and frailty, including front door (emergency department) frailty.
What we do
We diagnose and treat conditions that are common in older people such as stroke, dementia, falls, complex Parkinson’s disease, bladder problems and osteoporosis. Our team of nurses, therapists, social workers and doctors focus on need rather than age and have the expertise to improve a patient’s physical and mental health, independence and quality of life.
We provide both inpatient and outpatient services. Our team also supports other specialists looking after older people at Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil Hospital. We can assess older patients for potential problems related to frailty and we can also help and advise those looking after them.
What we offer and provide
Most of our patients come into hospital as an emergency admission and where possible will be transferred to a care of the older person ward.
If you would like to know how your relative’s treatment is progressing, please contact the ward their ward who will be able to answer queries during the working day. If you are worried about a relative or friend who is unable to speak for themself, please talk to the ward staff. If they are unable to answer your query, ask to talk with the ward sister or consultant and they will do their best to meet you.
We provide a dedicated older person doctor to help with general surgical or acute medical patients and we can review trauma and orthopaedic patients when needed.
We also offer referral to the Frailty Hospital at Home service.
How people can access your service
Please speak to your GP if you feel you need a referral to the care of the older person service.
Inpatients can be assessed on the ward and then referred to a community rehabilitation team once they have been discharged from hospital.