Frailty and Complex conditions of the Elderly

This condition is treated in the Aged care clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply with the referral standards and specifically include:

• Highlight specific concerns
• Include relevant recent investigations and recent letters from other providers
• Prior to referral arrange Physiotherapy assessment
• Current medication list - Please note any recent changes in medication
• Allergies
• Past medical history
• Recent BP recordings
• Please note weight loss or gain
• Recent imaging
• If the person has services attending, please describe.

* It is preferred that the patient is accompanied by a friend or family member to provide the necessary collaborative history and help with follow up.

* Please indicate if an interpreter is required and for which language.  We will arrange this when booking the appointment.

Tests

• BMD
• Relevant imaging according to symptoms
• Calcium, phosphate.
• FBC, U&E, LFT, CMP.
• TSH, B12, Folate
• MSU
• Cognitive testing (e.g. GP Cog/MMSE/ MOCA) - one only

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Aged Care clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

From this Clinic the consultant may choose to refer the patient to allied health services within in the Community Rehabilitation Unit for further assessment or treatment. Referring GPs will be advised of this.

For psychogeriatric conditions please consider referral to Older Persons Mental Health Service via the Mental Health Helpline Referral Service.

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

Availability

North

Launceston General Hospital
Level 3 - Specialist Clinics

Phone: 1300 977 694
Fax: 03 6777 5227

North West

North West Regional Hospital

Phone: 03 6493 6300

Fax: 03 6464 1928

Mersey Community Hospital
Phone: 03 6166 7893
Fax: 03 6222 8476

South

Repatriation Centre (Lower Statton Building)

Phone: 03 6166 7763
Fax: 03 6173 0325
Email: [email protected]