The Community Geriatric Clinic provides assessment and advice for people with multiple medical problems, particularly those associated with getting older. Our Geriatricians take a holistic approach to caring for older people, looking at each health issue and how they impact health and daily living.
Conditions seen
Barwon Health offers a community geriatric service for the following conditions:
- Problems with walking & falls
- Memory Loss
- Managing medications
- Weight loss
- Feeling down or anxious
- Bladder or bowel problems
- Pain
- Driving
- Difficulties managing at home
Conditions not seen
The Community Geriatric Clinic does not accept referrals for assessments of capacity, and complex dementia diagnosis should be directed to the Cognitive, Dementia and Memory Service (CDAMS).
How do I access this service
To be seen in this clinic you need to be referred by your GP, another specialist doctor or your Barwon Health doctor.
We are unable to see you in our clinics without a referral.
Wait time
All requests for specialist clinic appointments are scheduled according to the patient’s clinical need. Clinicians assess whether an appointment is urgent or routine, based on information provided in the referral.
Barwon Health aims to see all ‘urgent’ referrals within 30 days. Our wait times for patients who are categorised as ‘routine’ are more variable, depending on the demand for our services.
The projected wait time listed below are only estimated timeframes for routine (non-urgent) patients.
No Wait times to show
For Health Professionals
State-referral criteria may apply for conditions under this specialty requiring further assessment and management. Referring clinicians are encouraged to utilise Western Victoria Community HealthPathways for referral guidelines and requirements for all conditions.
Complete the specialist clinics referral template and send via:
- ReferralNet
- Email: [email protected]
- Fax: 03 4215 0453
Referral templates for Barwon Health services are available for importing into Best Practice, Medical Director or ZedMed. Please see the Referral templates page for the most up-to-date forms.
If you do not use the above clinical software, please complete a referral letter on your practice/health service letterhead, ensuring all required referral information is included.
If you need to contact us regarding the templates, please contact the GP Liaison Unit on 03 4215 8845 or [email protected].
For patients who require reassessment, a new referral should be sent through. To facilitate earlier access, the new referral must contain the following information:
- State the referral is an update for a current patient
- Date of original referral
- Reason for requesting a review of referral (e.g. deterioration in clinical condition, pathology)
The referrer will be notified of the outcome of the re-triage process.
GPs or referring doctors wishing to discuss the triage of their patient’s referral, or who require additional information, please ring McKellar Community Rehabilitation on 03 4215 5301.
Page last updated: September 9, 2025