General and Old Age Medicine
NEW - GOAM services are changing. Read more about the changes happening this summer.
The department of General and Old Age Medicine deals with a wide variety of illness and problems. We deal principally with the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of illness in older people. The goal of Old Age Medicine, working with other members of the health and social care team, is to restore an ill, disabled older person to a level of optimal health and, whenever possible, return them to an independent life at home. This involves careful planning of the discharge through discussion with the patient and other people involved in their care, as many patients will require support at the time of going home. The service links with community hospitals and the range of Intermediate care services in Gloucestershire so that care can be delivered in the best way at the best time.
Services Provided
The department is dedicated to maintaining and improving the health, independence, and quality of life of older persons and focuses on reducing the burden of dependent persons through learning and discovery.
This is delivered by a multidisciplinary team working together on the ward or within a clinic setting, which will meet together at least once a week to discuss their patients. The team generally includes doctors, nurses, Physiotherapy occupational therapy, speech therapy, dietetics, social workers, pharmacy and psychology.
Acute Medical care, Assessment and Rehabilitation
Our department is involved with the Acute Assessment Unit at GRH to provide early assessment prior to admission onto a ward. We also provide acute medical care on Ward 6B at GRH, and on the medical wards (Hazleton, Woodmancote) at CGH.
Oakley, Ryeworth, 9B GOAM and 4B GOAM are wards specialising in the ongoing care of older people, especially for those with more complex needs, and those requiring a re-organisation of their care at home before leaving hospital.
Stroke Services
There is a wide range of specialist stroke services run by the department in Gloucester and Cheltenham.
The Stroke service at GRH is provided by 2 stroke physicians with a multidisciplinary team of specialist nurses, therapists and other allied health professionals. There is a combined (acute and rehab) stroke unit with 29 beds. Thrombolysis is provided, currently within hours, for patients from all parts of the county. There are daily TIA clinics for the assessment of high risk TIAs. The stroke service is linked to the Avon, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset Cardiac and Stroke Network and is active in research. Please check out our stroke information website at http://www.strokeunitglos.nhs.uk/
Falls Services
Specialist consultant-led falls clinics are run at Cheltenham General Hospital and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, as well as in a number of the community hospitals. The department also provides specialist orthogeriatric care at Dixton Ward, 2A and 3A. We are also responsible for the specialist syncope clinic, run at Cheltenham General Hospital.
Movement Disorders
Specialist out-patient services are provided to aid in the diagnosis of movement disorders in older people, and also to provide multidisciplinary support to patients with disability from conditions such as advanced Parkinson’s Disease.
Outpatient Services
The Department provides the following Outpatient Services.
- Old Age Medicine service
- General Medicine service
- Falls service
- Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attach (TIA) service
- Syncope service
- Movement Disorders service
- Rapid Access Assessment
Please Note: Not all Services are provided at every Location.
Inpatient Services
Specialist Inpatient Services are based at:
- Cheltenham General Hospital - Woodmancote, Ryeworth & Oakley Wards
- Gloucestershire Royal Hospital - Ward 6A, 6B, 9B GOAM, 4B GOAM & the Stroke Ward
Additional Information
Research Projects currently being undertaken are:-
CLOTS Trial
ENOS Trial
Links
Please find below Links to other Websites that may be of interest to you.