The group was founded in 1999 to promote a collaboration between
old age psychiatrists and geriatricians in educational and research
fora. The group has ex-officio representation on the Executive of
the Royal College of Psychiatrists and on the Policy Committee of
the British Geriatrics Society.
In 2003 the SIG was recognized as one of only 2 SIGs with in the
BGS to report directly to the Policy Committee because of the SIG's
potential to influence policy.
Members of the SIG have been involved in a number of important
initiatives:
- Royal College of Physicians (London) and Royal College of
Psychiatrists, Joint Working Party on the Psychological Care of
Medical Patients: Published 2003.
- Royal College of Psychiatrists, Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry,
Liaison Psychiatry Working Group: Who Cares Wins:
Published 2005.
- Royal College of Physicians / British Geriatrics Society
Delirium Guidelines Working Group: 2003 - ongoing.
- Working group for the Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry Royal
College of Psychiatrists, Royal College of General Practitioners,
British Geriatrics Society, and Alzheimer's Society, following CSM
restriction on risperidone and olanzapine. 2004.
- Royal College of Psychiatrists / Royal College of Physicians
Joint Working Group - 'The care of older people with mental
illness: Specialist services and medical training': 2004 -
ongoing.
The SIG regularly provides input to the scientific meetings of
the BGS and the Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry. In 2004 the SIG
secured unrestricted educational support from Shire
Pharmaceuticals.
Membership of the SIG is free and not restricted to BGS members.
The membership list is maintained by the Scretary to the SIG,
currently Dr.John Holmes (j.d.holmes@leeds.ac.uk)
Nominations are always welcome for future committee
membership.