Geriatric Medicine
Offers a stimulating intellectual challenge as illness may present in unusual ways in older people, they frequently have multiple pathologies that interact and they particularly prone to adverse drug reactions Medicine Home
Geriatric Medicine is one of the largest specialties in the UK. There are presently around 800 consultants in the specialty but numbers are expanding, so career prospects are excellent. It offers a stimulating intellectual challenge: illness may present in unusual ways in older people, they frequently have multiple pathologies that interact, and they are particularly prone to adverse drug reactions. It allows you to maintain a generalist approach while also developing a subspecialty interest. This can range from stroke to Parkinson’s Disease, falls and fracture prevention, diabetes or cardiovascular disease, to name but a few. It also offers the chance to work both in community and hospital settings. Research is at last generating an ever-expanding evidence base for the management of many conditions in old age and the National Service Framework for Older People has laid out some challenging targets for health care provision.
The most effective Geriatrician is an excellent general physician with good communication skills, who is able to work well in a team with other disciplines and can empathise with older people. Most people are attracted by the holistic way that the specialty takes on acute investigation and management together with subsequent rehabilitation and discharge planning, all tailored to each individual’s needs.
The geriatricians at East Surrey run a super firm, with consultant leads in each ward area. Their dementia service is an award winning service, and there are great opportunities at East Surrey to gain a wealth of experience and exposure within the geriatric field.
Education and Clinical Teams
Dr Natalie Broomhead
Clinical Lead
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She is based at both East Surrey Hospital and Crawley Hospital and works within the community around the Crawley area in West Sussex. She has a clinic at Crawley. She also has strong links with many community teams providing support when required.
Dr Ben Mearns
Chief
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He is passionate about patient engagement and the delivery of safe high quality care. He values the opportunity to hear from the people we care for and to ensure that their views are heard. He is a strong advocate of patient involvement in continuing to develop and improve the services we provide.
Dr Mearns is a member of the SASH executive committee and an active member of the transformation guiding team. He is also a senior associate at the Nuffield Trust.
Dr Ben Field
College Tutor
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Dr Ben Field was appointed consultant in diabetes, endocrinology and general medicine at SaSH in March 2012. He is responsible for inpatients on Bletchingley and Hazelwood wards and holds outpatient clinics at East Surrey Hospital and Crawley Hospital. He is the Trust’s RCP tutor for medicine.
He gained a first class BMedSci before graduating in medicine with distinction from St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, in 1997. After specialist training at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ hospitals, he joined Imperial College London as an MRC clinical research training fellow, obtaining a PhD in 2009 for research into the neuroendocrine control of appetite, energy expenditure and insulin secretion. He is actively involved in research at SaSH and Imperial College, and is an honorary clinical senior lecturer at Imperial College London.
His interests encompass all aspects of diabetes and endocrinology, including structured education in type 1 diabetes mellitus, intensification of insulin treatment, insulin pump therapy, complex type 2 diabetes mellitus, diabetic foot disease, PCOS, pituitary diseases, thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal gland disorders.
Dr Laura Ferrigan
Dr Theodora Giokarini-Royal
(Orthogeriatrics)
Dr Nayeem Khan
Dr Virach Phongsathorn
Dr Chandra Prajapati
Dr Iain Wilkinson
(Orthogeriatrics)
Dr Ruth Hartley
Dr Annie Ellis
Dr Tak Yan Ellis
Wards Covered
- Abinger
- Bletchingley
- Meadvale
- Newdigate (Orthogeriatrics)
- Nutfield
Education Campus Reception
01737 231722
