Who are we?
We are a therapy led team set up to reduce the number of people experiencing falls and the consequences of falling in Bassetlaw. Falls can have a major impact on an individual’s health, independence and confidence and we are working together to help reduce the number of people falling.
Who do we work with?
We work with people over the age of 55 who have fallen or who are at risk of falling and live in their own homes or in 24 hour residential care settings.
Patients must be registered with a Bassetlaw GP.
Who is in the team?
The team consists of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Community Rehabilitation Assistants, a Dietician and a Social Worker.
How can we help?
Following a referral to our team we complete an assessment of the patient and work with them and where appropriate their carers to identify why they may be falling or at risk of falling. We can then offer advice and strategies to reduce the risk of falls in the future.
Who can make a referral?
We accept referrals from patients, family members, other health and social care professionals and any other people involved in the patient’s care.
What is the assessment process?
An individual assessment is carried out either in the patient’s own home, a residential care setting or at Retford Primary Care Centre. This involves gaining information about the patient’s falls history and reviewing areas of health and lifestyle that could increase the risk of falls and identifying why falls may be occurring will be explored. An individual falls prevention plan is completed in conjunction with the patient.
What happens next?
Depending on the patient’s needs, strategies to reduce the risk of falling will be discussed and appropriate interventions to reduce the risk of falling implemented.
Examples of possible strategies are:
• Change of walking aid
• Advice on changes to the home environment to make it safer
• Aids/minor adaptations such as grab rails
• Exercises to help improve balance
• Making plans to cope with future falls
• Outdoor mobility practice
• Support with dealing with fear of falling
• Advice on diet, footcare, hearing, vision and bone health
• We may discuss with the patient’s GP medication or any health concerns that may be contributing to falls
• We may refer the patient to other services who can offer support
Referrals can be made through
Single Point of Access
Tel: 01777 274422
