Your appointment with the older persons assessment unit

Looking after patients aged 65 years and above

Location

  • How do I get an appointment? 

    We accept referrals from GPs, consultants, nurse specialists, therapists and social workers based in the local community or at Guy's and St Thomas'.

    If you'd like an appointment with our service, you'll need to discuss this with your GP in the first instance.

  • Cancelling or changing your appointment 

    To cancel your appointment, contact the general medicine access centre on 020 7188 8879.

    Please always let us know if you can't attend your appointment so that someone else can use it.

  • Before your appointment 

    Whichever clinic you're attending, it's important you bring your tablets and medicines or a list of your current medication.

    We may need to do a physical assessment, so wearing easily removable and comfortable clothing is helpful.

    We will always ask for information about your GP and next of kin on arrival in our clinics, to keep our systems up-to-date.

  • At your appointment 

    You may see a number of different staff at your appointment, including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. It can take up to two hours but within that time you will be fully assessed.

    If you need to use hospital transport, then our specialist team of ambulance drivers will make sure you get safely to and from your appointment.

    Once at the unit, you'll firstly be booked in by the reception or nursing staff. Then you will have an assessment by a nurse.

    This assessment will then be used by the doctor or therapists to see what treatment we can offer. This may mean further investigations, an occupational therapy home assessment or physiotherapy.

    We often have nursing and medical students in the clinic who are here to learn about medical care for older people. We will invite patients to help us with teaching. This is always with your consent and does not affect the treatment you receive in the unit.

    We also have volunteers in the unit who are available to make a drink and have a chat whilst you're waiting.

  • After your apppointment

    If the doctor or therapist decides they want to see you again, we'll make your follow up appointment with you on the same day.

    Your GP will also receive an electronic letter from the hospital within 10 days of your appointment so they know what has been discussed and agreed at the clinic.

    If you have any questions after your appointment, you can call us on 020 7188 2093. If you phone outside of clinic hours, please leave us a message and someone will call you back.

Support groups and useful links

 

Planning your visit