Posters

Introduction “What matters to me?” (WMTM) is a question commonly asked of patients on admission to hospital to promote person-centred care (PCC). Understanding what is important to patients encourages treatment decisions that promote quality of life, particularly important when supporting older adults in the final years of their lives. Method We surveyed 30 older inpatients, 20 nursing staff and 10 medical staff on their opinion of PCC and the current ‘single WMTM question’ approach. We created a template to display around the bed space allowing patients to share what is important to them with

Introduction: Delirium is common, serious and under-recognised. Educational interventions improve knowledge, skills, and attitudes thereby improving recognition and patient outcomes. The aim of our study was to develop an interprofessional Delirium Education Consensus Statement for Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). Methods: Delirium relevant content was identified in three undergraduate geriatric medicine curricula from Australia, UK and USA and mapped to the Australian Delirium Clinical Care Standard. This mapping formed the basis of a blueprint consensus statement, which was discussed in a

Challenging behaviours including verbal and physical aggression are common in older patients with dementia and delirium admitted to hospital. Regularly managing patients with challenging behaviours is often stressful for staff, leading to burnout and poor job satisfaction. This quality improvement project aimed to increase staff confidence in managing challenging behaviours following an audit of incidents of aggressive behaviours which showed high prevalence across geriatric specialty wards at a tertiary NHS trust. The project was conducted on a single geriatric specialty ward at [ redacted

Background: The National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) and Best Practice Tariff emphasise timely bone health assessment, cognitive screening, and geriatric review for patients with hip fracture. In practice, these assessments may be completed but not clearly documented, risking missed postoperative delirium, suboptimal secondary fracture prevention, and limiting multidisciplinary communication. Aim: To increase the proportion of orthogeriatric hip fracture patients on the ward with documented bone health assessment, cognitive assessment, and geriatric assessment within 72 hours of admission

Introduction Chronic pain is highly prevalent among older adults, particularly those living with frailty. It is associated with reduced mobility, falls and decline in quality of life. When combined with ageing and frailty, the management of chronic pain becomes increasingly complex, so comprehensive assessment and management is vital in this patient group; unfortunately, studies have found that this is not routinely achieved. Method Data was collected regarding local prevalence and management of chronic pain. 25 medical staff were surveyed regarding their confidence in management of chronic

Background: The prevalence of chronic pain increases with age, rising from 12% among adults aged 16–24 years to 40% among those aged 75 years and over (NHS England, 2026). Despite this, chronic pain in older adults remains poorly treated (Tracy & Morrison, 2013). Barriers include misconceptions that pain is a part of ageing and medication-related side effects. Poorly managed pain contributes to social isolation, reduced mobility, and functional decline (British Geriatrics Society, 2025). We developed a specialist older adult pain management programme (Oasis) to improve accessibility

Introduction Falls are a common cause of hospital admission in older adults and contribute significantly to morbidity. Postural hypotension is a recognised and potentially reversible contributor to falls. NICE NG249 and the National Audit of Inpatient Falls (NAIF) recommend measurement of lying and standing blood pressure (LSBP) as part of a multifactorial assessment. NAIF 2024 reported 47% national completion of LSBP, with an improvement target of >60%. Local observations suggested inconsistent implementation and documentation of LSBP assessments. Methods A closed-loop audit was conducted on

Introduction Iron deficiency anaemia is common in the elderly, but investigations often require invasive tests. We conducted a single centre evaluation of 100 consecutive urgent suspected cancer iron deficiency anaemia (USCIDA) referrals over the age of 80, evaluating outpatient attendance, investigations, clinical outcomes and reasons for not undergoing tests. Methods Data was extracted via SQL query from the backend from electronic health record. A retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive USCIDA referrals in patients over the age of 80, referred in 2024, was conducted. Data on demographics

Introduction Prolonged inpatient stays are known to be associated with complications such as delirium, hospital-acquired infection and functional decline, particularly in frail elderly people. Frailty is also likely to limit a person’s ability to attend for conventional outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT). Expansion of an existing Hospital at Home (H@H) service to provide OPAT to frail elderly people was therefore implemented with the aim of reducing the complications associated with inpatient admission. Method The service expansion was conducted in conjunction with the local

Introduction: Dementia can have substantial psychological, emotional, and social impacts on people living with dementia (PLWD) and informal carers. Moreover, many face barriers to accessing support for these impacts. The interconnected experiences of PLWD and informal carers require further investigation, particularly as they are recognised as under-represented groups in research. Therefore, this qualitative study explored the psychosocial impacts of dementia on PLWD and informal carers in the UK, and their experiences of accessing psychosocial support. Method: First, discussion threads from

Introduction Resident doctors nationally report high burnout, poor work-life balance, and frustration with inflexible rota systems, as reflected in GMC and local trainee surveys. Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust had previously piloted 'preferential rostering', inviting doctors to submit rostering preferences ahead of rota construction, with significantly positive results. We adapted and introduced this approach for geriatric medicine registrars at Oxford University Hospitals (OUH), aiming to demonstrate similar benefits and support wider deanery adoption. Method 20 geriatric medicine

Introduction The traditional 'firm' system, a team-based, apprenticeship model of care, was largely abandoned by 2009 following Modernising Medical Careers (2005) and the European Working Time Directive (2009). These reforms reduced resident doctors' continuous ward presence and increased team transience. At Stoke Mandeville Hospital, the GMC and local trainee surveys highlighted resident doctor dissatisfaction with continuity of care, training experience, and working environment. We piloted a reintroduction of the firm-based model to address these concerns. Method The geriatric medicine

Introduction Falls in older adults are common and associated with significant morbidity, including fragility fractures and loss of independence. NICE and British Geriatrics Society guidance recommend comprehensive multifactorial falls assessment and intervention. This project aimed to introduce and evaluate a standardised ‘FRAIL’ falls assessment bundle for older patients admitted following a fall. Methodology A three-stage audit was conducted in patients aged ≥65 years with a Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) score ≥6, admitted following a fall. Cycle 1 (n=15) retrospectively assessed

Introduction Delirium is an acute, fluctuating syndrome causing disturbances in consciousness, attention, and cognition. It is common in older adults and associated with significant healthcare costs. The 4AT is an internationally recognised screen for delirium. The AMT-10 test is commonly used to assess cognition, however, does not account for fluctuating cognition, seen in delirium. The aim is to assess how often we are completing 4AT screens at identifiable checkpoints during admission. Methods A quality improvement project was conducted on a 22-bed older adult ward. 4AT and AMT-10 use at

Background: Antimicrobial stewardship is essential for patient safety and reducing antimicrobial resistance. Key components include obtaining appropriate cultures prior to antibiotic initiation, prescribing in line with local guidelines, and accurately documenting allergy status—particularly penicillin allergy, given that over 90% of patients labelled as penicillin-allergic are not truly allergic. Aims: This quality improvement project assessed and aimed to improve practice on Ward 19, a geriatric ward at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich (Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust), across three

Introduction Care home residents taking antithrombotic medication - anticoagulants or antiplatelets – who sustain head injury often attend emergency departments (EDs) to rule out intracranial haemorrhage. Many may be unsuitable for neurosurgery, or may not wish to attend hospital. Locally, there was no agreed pathway to support advance care planning or shared decision-making for care home residents with head injury. We wished to understand the outcomes of care home residents conveyed to ED with head injury and use these findings to develop a more person-centred pathway. Method We undertook a

Background: Delirium and frailty are common, interrelated syndromes in older adults and are associated with adverse outcomes including longer hospital stay, functional decline and mortality. National guidance recommends early delirium assessment using the 4AT and frailty assessment using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). We evaluated delirium and frailty assessment across acute and community hospital settings within NHS Grampian. Methods: A retrospective review of 60 consecutive completed admissions of adults aged ≥65 years was undertaken: 30 from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) Ward 102, an

Introduction Digital exclusion affects many aspects of health and wellbeing, and older people are especially vulnerable. Digital support and training are available but are not offered systematically and do not always reach those most in need. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a model that predicts digital exclusion in older people, based on information recorded in primary care. Methods A survey on digital use was mailed to patients aged 65+ registered at three GP practices in Yorkshire. The survey collected demographic information and internet use (including 22 online

Introduction: Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) in patients with cancer and frailty improves health-related quality of life, reduces toxicity and improves adherence to anti-cancer treatments. The Royal College of Physicians recommends that specialist Oncogeriatric services are developed to proactively provide multi-domain frailty assessment with management of frailty-related issues. At University College London Hospitals NHS Trust (UCH) a weekly, geriatrician-led multidisciplinary clinic was established in 2024 as part of the Geriatric-Oncology service. Initially, this was open to lung

Introduction The GOALS-Cov service was developed by a joint primary and secondary care working group seeking to reduce avoidable hospital admissions among older adults living with frailty. Analysis showed that a small number of care homes accounted for a disproportionate share of readmissions, identifying them as priority for intervention. Method After selecting these homes, stakeholders co‑designed a service tailored to residents’ needs. Contributors included GPs, care home managers, community nurses, physiotherapists and elderly‑care specialists. Together they shaped a model in which a care