Special interest groups | British Geriatrics Society

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.

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.

Peri-operative 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.