Care staff hold falls awareness event

Staff from the Onward Care Service in Exeter organised an event to raise public awareness of falls and how to reduce the risk of falling.

The team ran a stand in the Oasis restaurant at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, where they are based, as part of Falls Awareness Week.

The staff, employed by the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust and Devon County Council, linked up with colleagues from RD&E, the Acute Community Team (ACT), the Acute Care of the Elderly (ACE) team and Exeter Community Hospital (Whipton).

Age UK and the Lions Club were also in attendance and further resources were provided by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Cosyfeet and the Independent Living Centre, a Trust service based in Newton Abbot.

Helen Wamsley, occupational therapist, said: “The day was a huge success, with lots of people visiting the stand to discuss falls-related problems, gain advice and access various information and resources.”

The Onward Care Service works closely with health and social care colleagues at RD&E and in the community to support people to avoid unnecessary admissions to hospital and to facilitate safe and timely discharges home.