The Geriatric Rapid Access Clinical Evaluation (GRACE) Clinic is for any older person with complex medical needs, where intervention within 72 hours could prevent an acute crisis otherwise resulting in a presentation to the Emergency Department.
Our consult led assessments aim to prevent admission to hospital and enable older people to retain independence by optimising underlying medical conditions.
Who is this clinic for?
Older people with complex medical needs such as: recent non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, reduced mobility or poor appetite, unexplained pain, problems related to polypharmacy, recurrent urinary tract or chest infections, or people with progressive medical conditions such as heart failure, osteoarthritis, or COPD.
This clinic is not suitable for people with mental health problems, nursing home residents, people with acute confusion, social problems, new onset of dementia, people where it is unsafe to wait more than 72 hours for an assessment, single organ pathology that needs referral to a specialist clinic, people unable to transfer even with the assistance of two people, or medical emergencies requiring urgent hospital care eg. infective exacerbation of COPD or seizures.
More information
You can refer your patient for a comprehensive geriatric assessment by a multi-disciplinary team based at Broadgreen Hospital. We ask that this referral form is complete and emailed to the clinic team.
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Broadgreen Hospital
Address: Broadgreen Hospital
Thomas Drive
Liverpool
L14 3LBFor maps and other information visit our Getting Here page for Broadgreen Hospital
To start with you will be seen by a nurse who will take your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, weight and check your oxygen and blood sugar levels. A doctor will then see you.
You may want to bring another person with you to the clinic to support you.
You may also have blood tests, if requested by the clinic doctor, and they will be reviewed.
A heart trace (electrocardiogram or ECG) may also be performed. This involves attaching pads to your chest, arms, and legs so that we can see how well your heart is working electrically.
After assessment by the doctor, you may require other tests which may include an x ray, a CT scan, an ultrasound scan, or an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound scan). We try to arrange these for the same day but can’t always promise this.
GRACE is a teaching clinic so you may be asked permission for a medical student, student nurse or a community nurse to sit in during your assessment. Please let us know if you would prefer them not to be present. You may be asked to provide written feedback of the performance of your doctor in clinic.
At the end of your appointment, we will have a much clearer idea of what is troubling you and what your condition may be to put a plan of action in place.
A summary of the clinic outcome and further recommendations will be sent to your GP.