Response to Department of Health consultation

The British Geriatrics Society
The British Geriatrics Society (BGS) is the only professional association, in the United Kingdom , for doctors practising geriatric medicine. The 2,200 members worldwide are consultants in geriatric medicine, the psychiatry of old age, public health medicine, general practitioners, allied health professionals, and scientists engaged in the research of age-related disease. The Society offers specialist medical expertise in the whole range of health care needs of older people, from acute hospital care to high quality long-term care in the community.

Geriatric Medicine
Geriatric Medicine (Geriatrics) is that branch of general medicine concerned with the clinical, preventive, remedial and social aspects of illness of older people. Their high morbidity rates, different patterns of disease presentation, slower response to treatment and requirements for social support, call for special medical skills. The purpose is to restore an ill and disabled person to a level of maximum ability and, wherever possible, return the person to an independent life at home.

The Society is delighted to be given the opportunity to contribute to this debate and would comment as follows:

The Environment Benchmark is a welcome addition to the other Essence of care Benchmarks and can certainly be used in a proactive way to audit, and improve, the environment in which care takes place.

Overall it addresses all environmental aspects, although it is very hospital focused and perhaps the title should be amended to reflect this (and possibly the reader signposted to other benchmarks which may exist for residential or nursing home care).

Factor 1- Access to care environment
Mention needs to be made for signage to be ‘dementia friendly’

Factor 3 – Clean Environment
The organisation should have a staff appearance policy – although this is mentioned in factor 5 it is worth iterating here also.

Factor 6- Personal care environment
Recreational space should be available ‘as appropriate’ –this may not be the most effective or appropriate use of facilities in some clinical areas.

Factor 7- Leadership and competence of staff
Learning culture evident – some examples would be useful e.g. Staff teaching programme, ward teaching boards and resources, journal clubs, evidence of staff being enabled to attend external conferences and learning events.

Professor Peter Crome MD PhD FRCP FFPM
President. For and on behalf of British Geriatrics Society
8 October 2007