What is the Community Geriatric Service?

The Community Geriatric Service (CGS) is a community service for GPs and nurses working with people who are in Counties Manukau Health Aged Related Residential Care Services and the community. The Specialist Geriatrician and Clinical Nurse Specialists provide support to the Residential Care Health Teams and Primary Health Care teams in the area of Gerontology/Geriatric Medicine. The aim of this service is to improve the health and outcomes for older people in residential care and in the community within the Counties Manukau Health region.

 Clinical Nurse Specialists - the Registered Nurses in this team are specially trained in conditions affecting older people. Aged Related Residential Care and Primary Health Care providers may seek advice from the team of nurses to support older people to continue to live in normal place of residence. The Clinical Nurse Specialists provide recommendations about your ongoing care to your Primary Health Care provider. The Clinical Nurse Specialists will be able to link you to other Health Professionals e.g. Needs Assessors who are experts in arranging ongoing care and support for you. The Clinical Nurse Specialists also support nurses working in Aged Related Residential Care Services to access up to date information on care options and provide education  

Your GP will refer you to this service if they think you would benefit from seeing a team of people to assist with any difficulties related to illnesses affecting you in old age or if they feel you would benefit from a specialist doctor’s or nurse’s advice regarding your medical condition.

For the process on how to access residential care services please refer to Needs Assessment & Service Co-ordination (NASC)

For information on Residential Care Facilities in New Zealand click here

Click on the following links for more information about the different services for older people provided by Counties Manukau District Health Board.

• Services for Older People
• Needs Assessment & Service Co-ordination (NASC)
• Mental Health Services for Older Persons (MHSOP) 
• Stroke Service
• Palliative Care Services
• Home Health Care

There are no charges for services to public patients if you are lawfully in New Zealand and meet  the eligibility criteria set by the Ministry of Health.  If you do not meet the criteria, you will be required to pay for the full costs of any medical treatment you receive during your stay.

To check whether you meet the specified eligibility criteria, visit the Ministry of Health website

Any applicable charges can be discussed with your Health Professional at the time of your assessment.