The Thames Valley region is a relatively small geographical area but quite diverse in its population. The region is renowned for its universities that deliver world-class education and research. The region encompasses Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire and includes four major hospital Trusts (Buckinghamshire Healthcare, Oxford University Hospitals, Royal Berkshire Hospital and Milton Keynes University Hospital). There are almost 500 care homes and several community hospitals serving the older population in the region.

Our region’s representatives are from a variety of roles including medical, pharmacy, nursing and physician associate and therefore have a wealth of experience, knowledge and enthusiasm. If you are based in the area (or even moving to join us), please do contact us if you would like to join us or any events.

 

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Get Involved

There are multiple ways to get involved with your BGS region:

  • Submit content for your regional e-bulletin promoting local initiatives, research and learning opportunities, prizes and grants and members' work. Help us spread the word about the good work in your region by sharing content recommendations with us.
  • Write a blog or a newsletter article to promote the work and initiatives of your region. Contact our PR Manager for Blogs and our Editor for the Newsletter to find out more.
  • Help organise a meeting. By joining the committee, you will have the chance to influence the topics covered at future meetings and help create the best programme to enable colleagues to improve the delivery of high-quality healthcare to older people. Contact your local region officer or email registrations@bgs.org.uk to express your interest.
  • Opt in to the member’s directory to see and interact with colleagues across the region and even within your workplace that you might not have known have the same interest and passion for geriatrics

Region Officers

Dr Catherine Ashton
Co-Chair
Alex Pain
Dr Alex Pain
Trainee Representative
Emily Clarke
Emily Clarke
Committee Support
Helen Cowan
Helen Cowan
Committee Support
Gopija Nanthagopan
Trainee Representative

External Resources

My last shift as a care home nurse "In this blog I write as a care home nurse with hindsight, reliving my shift in mid-March, when I could hear the ‘hooves of the apocalyptic horses’ approaching as coronavirus took hold." Helen Cowan

“We heal, not in isolation, but in togetherness” – a role for the Care Home Care Coordinator? Helen Cowan

Blog

Group related

Thames Valley Hospitals

Click here to view the hospitals in our region

Did you know?

Penicillin, the first antibiotic, was used to treat the first patient at the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford on 12 February, 1941. Hospitals, wards and departments in Oxford are named after medical figures such as Dr William Harvey, Sir William Osler, Sir Richard Doll and Professor Edward Jenner (see Oxford’s Medical Heritage by Dr Rosemary Fitzherbert Jones).