Falls Prevention Service

About the service

The Falls Prevention team provides advice on how to prevent falls to patients, health care professionals and nursing homes across Hampshire. 

What we do

Balance Classes
The team host a series of virtual strength and balance classes that run over a course of 12 weeks. The classes are run via Zoom or face to face that work on elements of strength, balance as well as including educational talks about thing you can do to prevent falls such as; hydration, medication and environments.

In Portsmouth, we run 2 levels of Strength & Balance Exercise Classes. Patients are assessed using outcome measures targeted at strength & balance to be divided into either Level 1 class for 16 weeks with option for booster sessions for a further 8 weeks, and Level 2 which is for 24 weeks.

Classes are held at St Mary’s Community Health Campus on Monday & Tuesdays - 3 classes each day.
Thursday there is a group at Jubilee House in Cosham -  2 classes AM only.

Exercise Workshops

For patients who meet the criteria we have a limited service to provide 1-1 falls prevention sessions at home and for those who are not housebound but unable to attend a weekly group, we are now offering an Exercise workshop which provides 2 group sessions to teach an Independent Home Exercise Programme that can be self-managed at home, but also have access to a clinician for up to 8 weeks for telephone support or drop in sessions as required.

Falls Friends talks 
Falls Friends talks are run by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Hampshire County Council and the Hampshire Fire and Rescue service. The talks explain the causes falls and how to reduce your risk of falling (or someone you care for).  To book a place please call 02382 311657 or email specialistfallsteam@southernhealth.nhs.uk

Information for healthcare professionals
The Falls Prevention team run 'Slips, Trips and Falls' training for all health care professionals dealing with patients known to be at risk of falling.  Whether you are part of the Trust or work as part of a local care home you can contact the team directly to arrange a bespoke session. 

Accessing the service

To access this service, please speak to your GP for a referal into the falls team or local community care team.