The British Geriatrics Society (BGS) is the professional body of specialists in the health care of older people in the United Kingdom. Membership is drawn from doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, scientists and others practicing geriatric medicine and with a particular interest in the care of older people and the promotion of better health in old age. It has over 3000 members worldwide and is the only society in the UK which draws together experts from all the relevant disciplines in the field. The current president is Dr Eileen Burns.
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History
The Society was founded in 1947 for “the relief of suffering and distress amongst the aged and infirm by the improvement of standards of medical care for such persons, the holding of meetings and the publication and distribution of the results of such research”.
The BGS achieves these purposes by holding scientific meetings, producing clinical guidance, sharing best practice and acting as an ‘expert voice’ on the care of older people and promoting better health in older age. Members lead several national clinical audits in collaboration with other professional bodies such as Royal Colleges, and specialist clinical associations organizations.
Journal
Age and Ageing, which is published by Oxford University Press, is the official journal of the British Geriatrics Society, publishing refereed original articles and commissioned reviews on geriatric medicine and gerontology. Its range includes research on ageing and the clinical, epidemiological and psychological aspects of later life. Its impact factor of 3.816 is among the highest in the field of clinical ageing. Follow the journal on Twitter @Age_and_Ageing