About ANZSGM
The Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine is a Specialty Society representing medical practitioners who care for older people. We have over 1050 members, including consultant physicians, psychogeriatricians, academics, and more than 220 trainees in Geriatric Medicine. The Society formed in the early 1970’s as the Australian Geriatrics Society, later changed its name to the Australian Society for Geriatric Medicine, and amalgamated in 2006 with the New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine, to become the Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine (ANZSGM). Our Federal Council represents all Australian states and New Zealand, and our state divisions all have their own meetings and networks.
Our many activities include
- An Annual Scientific Meeting: In 2014, held in Melbourne, with the theme “Circulating the Evidence”. In 2015 the meeting will be in Perth WA, and in 2016, Cairns QLD.
- We work with the RACP to provide Advanced Training in Geriatric Medicine for our future geriatricians.
- We advocate for the care of older people and their families, with representation on many government and other committees which influence policy and resource allocation.
- We represent geriatricians in private practice and have achieved improved remuneration for the complex care of older patients.
- We develop Position Statements about many aspects of clinical care of older people (see Position Statements)
- We have networks with other professional organizations (see links page) and we are developing the profile of Geriatric Medicine in the Asia Pacific region
- We support and promote research in all aspects of ageing - service development, clinical practice and basic science.
- With the Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG) and the Council on the Ageing (COTA), we produce the Australasian Journal on Ageing
Constitution
ANZSGM consititution revised 29 May 2014 Constitution
The Australian & New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine is a society of medical practitioners engaged in the practice of Geriatric Medicine or related disciplines.
Membership of the Society is open to registered medical practitioners who demonstrate a commitment to clinical practice, research, education and administration in Geriatric Medicine and allied specialties and to those undergoing training in these fields.
Aims
The aims of the Society include:
- Promotion of the highest standards of medical care for older people.
- Promotion of training of medical practitioners in Geriatric Medicine and related disciplines and maintenance of the highest standards by current practitioners.
- Promotion of research into medical and related problems in older people.
- Positively influencing public and government opinion on aged care.
Membership
Criteria for membership:
Full Membership
Medical practitioners who are committed to clinical practice, research, education and administration in geriatric medicine and closely allied disciplines.
The requirements for full membership shall be prescribed by the Council from time to time as it sees fit.
Retired Membership
Retired Membership status will be offered to those Full Members who have retired from practice, at the discretion of the Finance and Administration Committee.
Trainee Membership
Individuals who are medical practitioners currently registered in a training program in geriatric medicine and related disciplines.
Honorary Life Membership
Honorary Life Membership status will be granted by the Society to those Full Members who, at the time of retirement, in the determination of the Council in its absolute discretion, have made an outstanding contribution to the Society or to geriatric medicine. Such individuals shall, for the term of their lives, enjoy (on a complimentary basis) the rights and privileges of Full Membership. Fellows of the ANZSGM may also be nominated for Honorary Life Membership.
Associate Membership
Associate Membership status will be offered to applicants for membership who are general practitioners with an interest in geriatric medicine.
Overseas Membership
Individuals who are registered medical practitioners primarily resident in places other than Australia and New Zealand who demonstrate a commitment to clinical practice, research, education and administration in geriatric medicine and closely allied disciplines.
Fellowship of the ANZSGM (nomination form for Fellowship of the ANZSGM)
Medical practitioners with recognised specialty training in and primary commitment to the practice of geriatric medicine, who have demonstrated leadership in the advancement of the medical care of older persons, or in research in ageing, in Australia or New Zealand. Nominations for fellowship will be accepted from full members, and fellowship will be awarded at the discretion of Federal Council. Fellows must maintain continuing membership, and must demonstrate continuing commitment to the advancement of geriatric medicine. Fellows may also be nominated for Honorary Life membership at the time of retirement.
Membership forms may downloaded here: ANZSGM Application Form or by emailing the Secretariat:
ANZSGM Secretariat
Ms Lynda Donaldson
Executive Officer
145 Macquarie Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: (02) 9256 5460
Fax: (02) 9241 3458
Email: admin@anzsgm.org
Activities of the Society
Advocacy for the Aged
- The Society keeps abreast of political and planning developments in aged care in Australia and actively involves itself in influencing public and Government opinion about the direction of aged care programs.
- The Society works to foster best practice in medical care of older people.
- The Society liaises with various Government agencies and actively contributes to the formulation of Government policy.
- The Society maintains links with and participates in regular meetings with many medical bodies to debate issues of Aged Care.
Education
- Supervision of training of specialists in Geriatric Medicine.
- Surveys of sites of advanced training in Geriatric Medicine.
- Continuing education of qualified Geriatricians.
- Sponsorship of overseas lectures.
- Organisation of the Annual Scientific Meeting.
- Publication of the Australasian Journal on Ageing in conjunction with Aged and Community Services Australia, Australian Association of Gerontology and Council on the Ageing (Australia).
- Collaboration with organisations in the education of members of other disciplines involved in the care of older people.
Policy Development
- Development of policies relevant to health and other care of older people and the practice of Geriatric Medicine.
- Production of position papers issued by the Society alone or in conjunction with related organisations.
- Responding to papers, reviews and draft legislation in the area of aged care
Research
The Society fosters and promotes research on ageing by:
- Assistance in policy development to foster research in ageing and geriatric medicine
- Provision of research grants and prizes for research in Geriatric Medicine
- Presentation of scientific papers at the ASM
- Encouragement and support of membership participation in research activities.
Last Updated: 23/5/2017
