Information for patients
This leaflet can be made available in other formats including large print, CD and Braille and in languages other than English, upon request.
The aim of this leaflet is to provide you with information about your care and to let you know what effective falls prevention looks like in hospitals in England and Wales. It contains national information and guidance published by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP).
If you have any questions, we encourage you to ask your doctors and nurses. They will also discuss what can be done to reduce the risk of falls
Can we prevent falls?
Just like in general life, it is not possible to prevent all falls in hospital. However, we can work together to reduce the chances of this happening.
You and your family can also help by being aware of the risks and the actions you can take, as well as talking to the people looking after you about falls prevention.
What can I do?
- Tell the nurse or doctor looking after you if you have fallen in the past year, are worried about falling or have a history of falls.
- Use your call bell if you need help to move, in particular if you need help going to the toilet.
- Make sure glasses are clean and used as needed. Ask for help if you are having trouble seeing.
- If you use a walking aid, continue to use it in the hospital. Keep it close by and check for wear and tear on the rubber feet. Never lean on hospital furniture as it is often on wheels.
- When getting up:
– Sit up for a few moments on the edge of your bed before standing.
– Get up slowly and make sure you feel steady before walking.
- Do some simple leg exercises before getting up from your bed or chair:
– Point your toes and relax them a few times.
– Tighten the muscles in your calves and then relax them.
– Move your legs up and down if you can, to get the circulation going.
- Drink regularly and eat well.
- Be familiar with the space around your bedside. Ask for clutter to be moved if your path is not clear.
- Make sure your shoes or slippers fit well, grip well and cannot fall off.
- Take care in the bathroom or toilet. Ask for help if you need assistance.
- You should also receive a falls risk assessment from the staff looking after you. This is explained in more detail in the “What should hospitals be doing?” section.
How can others help?
Your family, friends or carers can also help reduce the risk of falls with this checklist. Tell the ward staff:
- If you think your relative/friend is at risk of falling.
- If your relative/friend;
-has fallen in the past year.
-is feeling dizzy, confused or not their normal selves.
-has a vision impairment.
- If there is a spillage that may cause a slip danger.
Before your family, friends or carers leave, ask them to:
- Check the need space and area around it to see if it is clear of obstacles.
- Make sure the call bell, walking aid and glasses are within reach.
- Ensure they take any belongings that are not needed with them.
What can be done on the ward?
There are many things that can cause people to fall. The table shows some areas where hospitals can help. This information has been taken from a National Audit of Inpatient Falls.
| RECOMMENDATION | HOW DOES THIS HELP? |
| Call bells should always be within reach of a patient. | Dementia is a syndrome that causes memory loss and difficulties with daily life. Delirium is a state of mental confusion that can happen if you become medically unwell. |
| All patients should have a simple vision assessment when staying in hospital. | If you cannot see where you are going, it makes it difficult to avoid obstacles. Even if you wear glasses, you should still have your vision assessed. |
| Patients should have their medication reviewed and changed if appropriate. | Some medications or combinations of medications make people dizzy and increase the chances that they will fall over. A doctor or pharmacists can sometimes adjust the medications to make these side effects less likely. |
| Patients who need walking aids should be able to reach them. | If you need a walking aid to walk safely. It is important that you have it before you start walking. |
| Patients should have their lying and standing blood pressure measured. | Some people experience a drop in blood pressure when they stand up. This makes them dizzy and can cause them to faint. If the people treating you are aware that you get dizzy when you stand up, they may be able to change the parts of your care or give you tips to prevent this from happening. |
| Test should be made to check for dementia or delirium (confusion). | Dementia is a syndrome that causes memory loss and difficulties with daily life. Delirium is a state of mental confusion that can happen if you become medically unwell. |
| Patients with delirium or dementia should have a special care plan. | If you are confused and are having trouble remembering things, an unfamiliar environment can be particularly tricky. Patients who have dementia or delirium needs special care to help their stay in hospital. |
| Patients who have continence issues should have a continence care plan. | If you have difficulties with bladder and/or bowel control, there needs to be a plan in place to help you move regularly and safely to the toilet. |
| Safe footwear should be worn. | Well-fitted shoes or slippers with gripping soles will help you move safely while in hospitals. |
| Immediate bedside environment should be clear from clutter and hazards. | Keeping the space around your bed and the route to the nearest toilet clear makes it easier to move around safely. |
What should hospitals be doing?
How to tell if a person is at risk of falling?
Patients aged 65 and over are assessed by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust Hospitals. Those who fall due to other health conditions and people between the ages of 50 and 64 are also assessed.
Once the assessment is finished, the care staff will talk to you about how they can help and what you can do to prevent falls. The staff will put a plan in place and discuss this with you and your family.
What about bed rail use?
Staff at University Hospital of North Tees complete an assessment for all patients to assists in their decision making around usage of bed rails. Bed rails are useful for some patients; however, for others this may limit independence or pose a falls risk.
Make practice match the policy
In line with recommendations, University Hospital of North Tees and Hartlepool have a robust falls policy. The falls risk assessment is reviewed regularly to ensure it includes all elements as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Hospital staff falls group
Preventing falls at North Tees and Hartlepool Foundation Trust Hospitals is the responsibility of all staff, in line with RCP recommendations; we run a regular Falls Group that:
- Meets regularly.
- Involves representatives from all the main groups of staff.
- Review falls data and what is being done to prevent them.
How can I, as a patient, help improve care in hospital?
Hospitals are required to make improvements to their services. They often have a patient and public involvement group who advise them on patient feedback that you could join to provide constructive suggestions to improve patient care. Please see the back page of the leaflet for information on this.
Reference and Further Reading
- Falls Safety Resources
www.rcp.ac.uk/projects/outputs/naif-resource-repository
- National Performance Average Comparison.
https://fffap.org.uk/fffap/naifrep.nsf/
Acknowledgement
The data presented in this patient information leaflet come from the National Audit of Inpatient Falls.
The audit is managed by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and are funded by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP).
Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints
Patient Experience Team (PET)
We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Team is here to try to resolve your concerns. The office is based at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. Our contact details are:
Telephone: 01642 624719
Freephone: 0800 092 0084
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm
Email: [email protected]
Out of hours
Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.
Telephone: 01642 617617
Patient, Public and People with Lived Experience
We are looking for patients to share their experiences of healthcare and to join our Involvement Bank. Working with the patients, carers, families and the general population we support in making decisions about their care can lead to better health outcomes, increased patient satisfaction and a better overall experience. We want to listen and work with you in shaping the future of your healthcare services. To find out more about the Involvement Bank go to our website or contact us at:
Website: www.nth.nhs.uk/about/community/people-with-lived-experience
Email: [email protected]
Data protection and use of patient information
The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.
Telephone: 01642 383551
Email: [email protected]
Privacy NoticesLeaflet feedback
This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team at:
Email: [email protected]
Leaflet reference: PIL1311 – Version 02
Date for Review: 15/07/2025