Geriatric Medicine

We provide a clinical service for the frail elderly, particularly those with chronic disease. We care for acutely ill elderly patients and provide a consultation service to other departments on aged care matters.

Our physicians also care for patients at Bentley Health Service and St John of God Hospital in Mount Lawley (Royal Perth Hospital Inner City Geriatric Service).

Our services include:

  • assessment and restorative units
  • acute geriatric medicine and consulting services geriatric day therapy
  • speciality clinics for memory, continence and falls
  • community outreach.

Information for referring practitioners

Urgent Geriatric Outpatient Referrals

The Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) Geriatric Assessment Team (GAT) now offers an Ambulatory service with 6 beds which welcomes GP referrals. GPs can contact GAT (via the RPH switchboard on 9224 2244) between 8am-4pm on weekdays if you are concerned about a patient aged ≥ 65 years/Aboriginal patient ≥ 50 years who lives or is staying in the RPBG catchment area and would benefit from early assessment by a Consultant Geriatrician. Out of business hours, the switchboard will continue to direct GP calls for urgent Geriatrics advice to the on-call Geriatrics consultant.

The GAT also provides timely specialist geriatrics decision making and multidisciplinary care to older patients attending the RPH emergency department (ED) and may contact you if one of your patients presents to ED. The GAT consultant performs an early comprehensive Geriatric assessment to promote safe discharge from hospital and reduce readmission to hospital. The GAT encourages direct referrals from GPs and other specialties to facilitate direct community reviews and admissions, bypassing the Emergency department and can facilitate early referral to community-based services for ongoing assessment.

Routine outpatient referrals

Patients may be referred for routine assessment to the Geriatric Outpatient Clinic via standard outpatient referral forms (external link) to:

Central Referral Service (external link)
GPO Box 3462
Midland WA, 6056

Or fax to 1300 365 056.

Last Updated: 17/03/2023