Introduction:

The Manchester Falls Prevention Service was launched in February 2006. The service offers appropriate patients comprehensive individualised falls specific assessments. Following assessments, an appropriate intervention is planned with the patient and their family and/or carer. This is aimed at promoting independence, confidence, balance and mobility through specific individualised exercise and education classes. The assessment process also highlights social, and/or environmental problems and referrals are made as appropriate to other allied health/social care services.

The team consists of:
Team Leader (District Nursing Background)
Physiotherapist
Occupational Therapist
Therapy Assistant
Administration Assistant

Criteria for Referral:

• The patients must be aged 65 or over
• Live in the North Manchester area
• Live in their own home not in a residential/nursing home
• Have a North Manchester GP
• Have had a fall and/or be at risk of falling
• Consent to referral being made

Referral Process:

The North Manchester Falls Prevention Service is at present staging referral pathways. Referral pathways directly into the service agreed at present are from:

• Accident and Emergency and Medical Emergency Departments at North Manchester General Hospital
• North Manchester GPs
• North Manchester Community Physiotherapists
• Intermediate Care Services
• Care and Repair, Public Health exercise, Pace, and Zest.
• Henesy House
• Pills and Spills
• Active Case Managers
• Stroke Team
• ARAS

Referral pathways with other allied health and voluntary services will be established in the near future. Referrers who do not have an agreed referral pathway process with the Falls Prevention Service should request the patients GP to refer the patient into this service.

How to refer into the project.