The Betjeman Centre is part of the Department of Older Persons' Services.

We are a small, friendly department located on the ground floor of the Great Western Hospital, at the North Entrance.

We run specialist medical clinics in Movement Disorder (including Parkinson's Disease), Stroke and TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack) and Falls.

Each of these clinics is led by a Consultant expert in these areas.

We also run General Medical clinics.

You may have been referred by your GP or from another area in the hospital.

Although we predominantly see older people we also see adults of all ages, in any of our clinics.

To complement your care in our specialist clinics you may be invited to return for further assessments with nursing and/or therapy teams.

At all times the team is available to answer your questions and listen to your concerns.

We have an extensive range of information and have recently updated our main waiting room to improve the way we make our information available.

We also have a dedicated area for information about caring.

What to expect

We offer a broad spectrum service from a friendly, professional team that specialise in many areas of Care of the Elderly medicine.

We are easily accessible and work within comfortable modern surroundings which enables us to meet most of your needs in one location.

We aim to make each visit as stress-free as possible.

On arrival in clinic you will be greeted and booked in by the reception team at the desk who will direct you to your waiting area.

While you are waiting for your consultation a member of the nursing team will weigh you and take your blood pressure.

You will be informed of the name of the clinician you are seeing, which clinic room you will be seen in and approximately how long your wait will be.                               

After your consultation you may have further diagnostic tests, some of which can be done within the department at that time.

We may need to arrange further appointments for specific tests within our department or another department within the hospital.

You may have another appointment with the clinician at a later date or you may simply be discharged back to the care of your GP.

Any future appointments to see your clinician will be sent to you in the post.

The team has close links with various support networks both within the hospital and the wider community.

A letter will be sent to you following your consultation to confirm what was discussed.

Our team

The team consists of a Clinical Lead, three consultants and an associate specialist.

It is supported by Specialist Registrars and Senior House Officers and a team of medical secretaries.

The therapy team includes Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists supported by Rehabilitation Assistants specifically trained to meet the requirements of our clientele, undertaking one to one, group and home visit assessments, treatments and review.

The small, professional nursing team have specialist interests in falls prevention and balance problems, stroke and TIAs (Transient Ischaemic Attacks), movement disorders including Parkinson's Disease, continence, support for carers and dignity.

We have a dedicated reception/administration team skilled in customer service.