Geriatric medicine

Hereford County Hospital

The department of Geriatric Medicine at Hereford County Hospital provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for older people across inpatient, outpatient, and community settings. Our services focus on holistic assessment, rehabilitation, and supporting patients to live well and independently. 

Our services 

Inpatient Care

We provide inpatient care across the following wards. Each ward is supported by a dedicated multidisciplinary team, with daily collaborative working to ensure high-quality, patient-centred care. 

• Ashgrove Ward
• Garway Ward
• Dinmore Ward

Orthogeriatric medicine

Patients admitted with femoral fractures are cared for directly by the Geriatric Medicine team on Dinmore Ward. Care is delivered jointly with the Trauma and Orthopaedic team to optimise outcomes. These patients receive:

• Comprehensive medical and geriatric assessment
• Falls assessment and prevention strategies
• Rehabilitation support
• Osteoporosis assessment and treatment

Community Hospitals

The department supports the care and ongoing management of patients at Leominster Community Hospital, working closely with community teams to facilitate recovery and discharge planning. 

Front Door Frailty Team

Our multidisciplinary Front Door Frailty Team operates within the Emergency Department. Older people receive comprehensive geriatric assessment in the Frailty Same Day Emergency Care Unit, with care focused on:

• Maintaining independence
• Avoiding unnecessary hospital admission
• Supporting safe discharge where appropriate 

Inpatient wards 

Ashgrove Ward and Garway Wards

• 24-bedded ward
• Provides holistic care for older people requiring inpatient stays
• Daily multidisciplinary team meetings to coordinate care and discharge planning 

Dinmore Ward

• 24-bedded Orthogeriatric Trauma Unit
• Admits patients aged over 60 with fractured femurs
• Joint care provided by Trauma and Orthopaedics and Orthogeriatricians 

Outpatient clinics

• Movement Disorders Clinic - Consultant-led clinic supported by a specialist nurse and neuro-physiotherapy team.
  
  
• Geriatric Cardiology Clinic - Specialist service for frail older patients with new or established cardiac conditions, including valve disease and heart failure.
  
  
• General Geriatric Medicine Clinic - Comprehensive assessment and management of a wide range of health concerns affecting older people. 

Frailty Virtual Ward

Geriatric Medicine provides clinical oversight to the frailty Virtual Ward, supporting patients to receive hospital-level care in their own homes. The service is delivered by Resident Doctors and Community Advanced Clinical Practitioners based in Nelson House. 

Our consultants

• Dr Annalisa Facchini – Orthogeriatric and Mortality Lead
• Dr Richard Gilpin – Clinical Lead
• Dr Rodric Jenkin
• Dr Natalie Jenkinson – Dementia Lead
• Dr Jennifer Martire
• Dr Emma Wales – Associate Chief Medical Officer