Specialized Geriatric Services - How To Access
Geriatric Ambulatory Access Team (GAAT)
The Geriatric Ambulatory Access Team (GAAT) provides centralized intake and triage for all outpatient geriatric medicine, mental health, rehabilitation and specialized services for adults 65 and older at St. Joseph’s and London Health Sciences Centre, with one referral form.
Frequently Asked Questions regarding access to our programs and services
Who would benefit from SGS programs and services? Who is typically referred?
A referral is appropriate when older adults:
- have multiple complex medical, functional and/or psychosocial issues;
- are frail;
- have increased their use of health care services (i.e. multiple Emergency Room visits).
Typical problems may include:
- Depression
- Dementia
- Polypharmacy
- Falls
- Poor Nutrition
- Functional Decline
- Weight loss
- Caregiver Stress
- Incontinence
- Hygiene Issues
- Immobility
- Abuse
- Squalor
What is the eligibility criteria?
Eligibility criteria include:
- 65 years of age or over
- residents of Southwestern Ontario (LHIN 1 & LHIN 2)
- patient and/or Substitute Decision Maker are aware and have given consent
- family physician (or other MD) refers
Who can make a referral?
Referrals may be initiated by health care providers, seniors themselves or family members/informal caregivers, however they must be made by a physician to the Geriatric Ambulatory Access Team. A physician signature is required on the referral form.
If the client does not have a family physician, referrals can be made by a physician at a walk-in clinic.
Referrals for outpatient services cannot be processed if a patient is still in the hospital. These referrals should be faxed upon discharge.
How do I make a referral?
Referrals to SGS' inpatient Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation and Geriatric Assessment care units, and Geriatric Rehabilitation Day Hospital are managed by Parkwood Access. Most other referrals to SGS programs should be faxed directly to the Geriatric Ambulatory Access Team.
- Phone: 519 685-4046
- Fax: 519 685-4020
Some exceptions apply:
- 1. ‘Specialized’ Mental Health Care Services (Geriatric Psychiatry Inpatient Program). These referrals should be made directly to St. Joseph's London Mental Health Care Coordinated Access.
Phone: 519 631-6568
Fax: 519 631-5174
- 2. Referrals for outreach services originating outside of Middlesex-London should be directed to local SWOGAN assessment teams. For referral information, see SWOGAN referral information.
What happens once I make a referral?
Referrals are processed by a health care professional with the support of clerical staff. A health care professional from our GAAT will determine the appropriateness of the referral. If the referral is deemed appropriate, the health care professional will then determine the most appropriate service in a timely manner.