About the service
We are a Community Physiotherapy Lead, Falls Prevention exercise programme serving the older (65+) population of the Portsmouth area who are registered with a Portsmouth GP practice.
If you have had a fall, are unsteady on your feet or afraid that you may fall over then we may be able to help you. We offer classes with various levels of ability and we aim to improve your balance, mobility and confidence. We run two different levels of exercise groups at St Mary Community Health Campus in Portsmouth - one class runs once a week for 24 weeks and the other class runs twice a week for 12 weeks. You will need an assessment for us to see what class would be best for you.
We are not a self-referral-based service, Please speak to your GP or Health Care Professional (HCP) i.e. Physiotherapist, Nurse.
What we do
The strength and balance programme offers exercise, advice and information aimed at improving your mobility, balance and independence. The exercises can increase your confidence in your day to day activities and help prevent you from falling in the future.
Exercises range from being chair based to standing work. The focus is on improving your strength and balance. We also encourage general levels of health and make it fun in the process. We also show you how to get up from the floor if you do fall over.
Although you will be exercising as part of a group the service will be tailored to your individual goals and needs.
The classes are run by two physiotherapy associate practitioners.
Accessing the service
If you are already being seen by a physiotherapist then have a chat with them. Alternatively, contact your GP and ask if they would refer you for an assessment. Referrals can be done by a health professional via SystmOne, we do not accept self-referrals.
There is no cost for attending these classes or for using hospital transport. Once you have been referred a member of the team will contact you by telephone to offer you a date and time for an assessment.
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How to find us
Block B
St Mary’s Community Campus
Milton Road
Portsmouth
PO3 6AD
Contact information
Telephone: 0300 123 6693
Monday to Friday, 8am - 4pm
Further information
The groups are run on a rolling start so as soon as a space becomes available the next person will be offered a place. Our waiting times vary between two and six weeks depending on which class you are going to.
We can provide hospital transport if eligible. Please be aware that if you use hospital transport you may be on the vehicle for an hour or so while other people are collected or dropped off.
The assessment can be done at your home or at the class venue. The assessment involves a chat about any falls you may have had and your relevant medical history. We will then undertake some simple balance tasks to see what level of exercise would be best for you. The whole assessment should take no longer than 40 minutes.