The Falls team aims to:
- prevent unnecessary admissions to hospital following a fall.
- reduce the risk of further falls.
- advise re: falls prevention.
How are referrals made?
1. Referrals to the service can be made by any health, social care or voluntary services professional including;
- The Ambulance Service
- Clinical Navigation Team at Luton & Dunstable Hospital
- Luton Integrated Nursing Teams - Parkinson's team, community matrons, Rapid response team
- Residential and Care Homes
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GPs
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Care agencies
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Fire services
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Age concern
2. Patients can self refer to the falls service if they have fallen or feel they are at risk of a fall by contacting our single point of referral phone number- 0333 405 3000 (Falls Team). We will contact the person to ask further questions and if appropriate organise a multifactorial falls assessment.
Who is eligible for the service?
People who meet the following criteria:
• Aged 18 years and over
• Live in Luton
• Have had a fall at home
• Are at risk of falling
The service provided includes:
The Luton Falls Team consists of Falls Support Workers, Specialist Physiotherapists and a Specialist Occupational Therapist who cover the service seven days a week, working 8am - 6pm Monday - Sunday and Bank Holidays except Christmas day. They assess patients following a fall or for those patients at risk of a fall for falls prevention intervention. This maybe to prevent an unnecessary admission to hospital following a fall or assessment for falls prevention.
The team can provide some adaptive equipment or aids if appropriate.
If required the patient is referred to the appropriate service for further intervention eg. Adult Social Care, Reablement, Luton Integrated Community Rehabilitation Service, Integrated Nursing Teams, Pharmacy Technicians and GPs and the voluntary sector.
Hours of operation
08.00 - 18.00pm Monday - Sunday except Christmas day
Contact details:
Luton Falls Service 0333 405 3000
What will we do when we visit you?
A Clinician (Falls Support Worker or Therapist) will complete a multifactorial falls assessment and will identify what additional support and/or equipment is needed to enable the person to remain at home safely and reduce their risk of further falls. This may include the following:
- Referral onto social services for a new or increased care package
- Provision of equipment
- Home environment check and recommendations
- Referral on to other organisations (e.g. Luton Intermediate Care and Rehabilitation Team, Social Services, Age Concern)
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Advice regarding other ways of reducing the risk of further falls.
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Lying and Standing Blood pressure and liaison with GP
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If a Falls Support Worker have done an assessment, liaison with Falls Therapist for advice and if a therapy 1:1 is needed.
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If appropriate for 8 week Strength and Balance class criteria, Clinician to do outcome measures and facilitate attendance to Strength and balance class in Lewsey community Centre or Dallow Centre.
What happens during the Strength and Balance Classes?
What happens after the assessment?
A Clinician may do a telephone review to find out how you are and to check that any equipment ordered or services arranged are working well.
We will then discharge you and notify your GP of our assessment.
If completed the 8 week strength and balance classes, Clinicians will do a post outcome measure visit and onward referral to activity groups (total wellbeing, active Luton) and discharge you back to GP.
Feedback
The Falls Team is always pleased to hear from people who feel that we have provided a good service. Equally we would like to hear from you if you are not happy with the standard of service or care that we have provide