The British Geriatrics Society Scotland (BGS Scotland) is a multi-disciplinary professional membership association that promotes better health and care for older people. Its membership includes the vast majority of specialist health professionals who shape and delivery healthcare to older people in Scotland. The full Council and Board representatives may be found here.

We believe that care should:

  • promote independence, and allow older people to live the lives they choose and be fully involved in their care and treatment plans, including at the end of life;
  • be holistic and person centred;
  • be evidence-based and focused on outcomes, not outputs;
  • be based on a full and complete assessment and diagnosis;
  • be compassionate and caring;
  • be based on need, not age, and promote fair and equal treatment for older people;
  • be multidisciplinary, regardless of setting, and integrate the services of health, social and community care professionals to provide a seamless service.

Events

Events
2026 WFC

Prizes

The Kate Johnston Prize is awarded for the best presentation by a non-consultant grade member at the BGS Scotland autumn Scientific Meeting and The Taylor Brown Prize is awarded for the best presentation by a non-consultant at the BGS Scotland spring Scientific Meeting.

BGS Scotland also offers the Ferguson Anderson Prize in Geriatric Medicine: Three essay prizes (£300, £200, and £100) are offered to individual medical students studying at Scottish Universities. Many students are now involved in special study modules or elective projects relating to older patients. These may provide the basis for a submission. The essay can cover any topic relating to ageing or care of older people and must not exceed 2500 words, excluding references.