Review of falls prevention services

Healthwatch Hounslow was commissioned by LB Hounslow Public Health to undertake engagement with people on their experiences of fall prevention courses.  They ran six focus groups which 96 people attended.

Key findings:

There is generally very low awareness of falls prevention services and self-referral options.

People use various sources and channels to gather information regarding health and social care. For those who typically rely on others for assistance, accessing information isn't straightforward. 

The most prevalent barriers to accessing the service were a lack of awareness about its existence, and confusion regarding its aims, objectives, and delivery methods. This information gap led to numerous questions about the service.

People also relied on their own capacity to prevent falls, with some individuals considering themselves still strong or not old enough to be at risk, while others relied on their faith in handling such situations.

Almost all had no recollection of receiving or encountering promotional materials related to falls prevention services. 

There was a split among participants regarding the use of technology for health-related purposes, with half feeling comfortable using it and the other half either expressing a preference against it or facing difficulties in using it.  Most wanted face to face access to services. 

People wanted the service to offer advice and guidance on falls prevention, strategies for minimising falls, and steps to take after experiencing a fall, along with exercises and activities aimed at improving balance. 

People needed a straightforward understanding of services offered, which includes what is and isn't covered, clear points of contact, and specifying the physical location of services.

Most people reported not taking any supplements for bone health, nor had they received any advice or prescriptions from their GP in this regard.

The report contains 10 recommendations addressing the key findings.