Implementation of a Surgical Liaison Service for Elderly Patients: A Single Unit Experience

Older people over the age of 65 years are recognized as higher risk surgical candidates and it is therefore recommended that their care should be coordinated through a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach involving senior geriatricians, anaesthetists and surgeons. As one of only a handful of hospitals to implement a liaison service for elderly surgical patients we have seen both quantitative and qualitative improvements in the care delivered. Both co-ordination and continuity of care has improved and overall staff feel that the service forms an integral part of caring for the older surgical patient. Currently only 1% of UK hospitals are meeting targets for implementation of liaison services for their elderly surgical patients. Our surgical liaison service offers consultant led care for older people and is valued amongst users. We would like to share our experiences in the service setup, provision and its subsequent impact on patient care.