BGS groups

In addition to the professional groups listed below, the Society acknowledges the broad scope of geriatric care. Many geriatricians, nurses and therapists have, in addition to the broad spectrum of expertise in medicine and care of older patients, chosen to practise or research specific clinical and management areas. The Society's Special Interest Groups (SIGS) include a range or sub-specialisms from anaemia to community geriatrics. The SIGs respond to government consultation documents, and publish guidelines and policy statements.

The SIGs include physicians, scientists and allied health professionals both within and outside the BGS. Through its SIGs the Society offers advice to government agencies, drawing on a wide range of expertise. They serve as the Society’s source of clinical innovation, deriving and maintaining high standards of clinical care, and disseminating specialist knowledge.

Professions

Nurses are an essential element in older people's care

Nurse and AHPs Council

The BGS Nurse and Allied Health Professions (NAHPs) Council is a forum for the engagement and participation of Nurses and AHPs in the Society’s mission to improve healthcare for older people. The Council is committed to raising the voice of the individuals and the professions it represents.

Trainees Council

Our Trainees group represent the ideas and opinions of trainees within the BGS. We provide a forum for the discussion of issues relevant to the trainees; engage with students and junior doctors interested in pursuing geriatric medicine as their specialty and encourage the effective training of future geriatricians.

Community and Primary Care Group

The majority of interactions older people have in relation to their health take place in primary and community care. The BGS Community and Primary Care Group has been formed in response to an increasingly strong emphasis on care closer to home for older people, with the aim of reducing avoidable hospital admission and the associated risk of potential harms such as deconditioning and delayed discharge.

Rehabilitation Group

The BGS Rehabilitation Group is a task and finish group assembled to address the issues surrounding rehabilitation and loss of function as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Researchers and Academics

One of our primary goals is to promote high quality research into the health and wellbeing of older people. Encouraging and disseminating research is overseen by our Research and Academic Committee. They develop resources for prospective and experienced researchers and maintain our Research Centres map.

Retired Members' Group

Are you retiring from active practice, or have you retired? There is no need to end your relationship with the British Geriatrics Society. There are favourable membership rates for retired members and annual activities for retired BGS members and their partners

Medical Students

The British Geriatrics Society welcomes medical students as members. Meet geriatricians of international renown. Network with researchers and explore collaborations. Membership of the BGS is absolutely free to medical students.

Care Homes Group

The BGS Care Homes Group has been formed in response to the growing interest in the specific issues relating to older people living in residential care.

SAS Grade Members

Specialty and Associate Specialist (SAS) doctors are senior physicians with at least four years' postgraduate training, including two or more within the specialty.

Pharmacy Professionals Group

The BGS Pharmacy Group represents pharmacists among the BGS membership. Frailty, pharmacy, medicines management and deprescribing are increasingly relevant in older adults' care, and this BGS group, alongside the Medicines Optimisation Special Interest Group (SIG), aim to support professionals involved in this area of care.

Special interest groups

Anaemia

Established in 2017, this Special Interest Group deals with the disorders that may arise in the older person with anaemia.

Bladder and Bowel Health

Incontinence is a major issue in geriatric medicine, but remains a neglected area of many older people's healthcare.

Cardiovascular

Promotes links with the British Cardiac Society and other medical societies with a cardiac interest.

Dementia, Delirium and Brain Health

Provides a forum for discussion about dementia and links to other professional groups working in the field of dementia and related disorders.

Digital Health

Telemedicine is rapidly evolving. We want to ensure that older people are not disaffected by a technology-centred treatment pathway that neglects their clinical ability to benefit.

End of Life Care

Launched in 2020, this special interest group aims to promote good end of life care for older people.

Ethics and Law

A forum within the Society for debate on ethical and legal issues. It informs BGS policy on matters such as Deprivation of Liberty (DoLs) and assisted dying.

Falls and Bone Health

This SIG acts as a focus for multidisciplinary interest and expertise on fall prevention and bone health.

Frailty in Urgent Care Settings

Set up in 2017, the group aims to improve care for older people in urgent care settings (emergency departments and acute hospital care).

Gastroenterology/Nutrition

This group provides a focus for those in elderly care who have a particular interest in gastro-enterological and nutritional problems.

Medicine Optimisation

For BGS members and non-members interested in practice and research in clinical pharmacology and the therapeutics of ageing.

Movement Disorders

Formerly known as the Parkinson's Disease Section, this SIG now covers Multiple System Atrophy, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Corticobasal Degeneration, Essential Tremor, Dystonia and other related disorders. It is also under auspices of this SIG, that the increasingly popular Parkinson's Masterclasses are held. It also offers annual essay prizes - open to students of medicine, nursing and therapy.

Oncology

As people live longer, cancer is no longer a death sentence for older people. Outside groups increasingly consult us on the treatment options for older people with cancer.

Perioperative care of Older People undergoing Surgery

This Special Interest Group was launched in March 2012 against a background of increasing numbers of older people undergoing and benefiting from surgery. The object of the group is to encourage research and models of care which improve outcomes by optimising physical, psychosocial and functional well-being, prior to and following surgery, in older surgical patients.

Sarcopenia and Frailty Research

Sarcopenia has emerged as a key topic in geriatric medicine. Inextricably linked with frailty, it is a rapidly expanding field of research.

British Geriatrics Society