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Last week was Falls Prevention Week (15-19 September) and staff across the Trust have been stepping up to reduce falls among patients.

Each year, falls cost the NHS over £2.3 billion in hospital stays, emergency care, and ongoing treatment. Preventing falls isn’t just about safety - it’s about helping people to stay independent and maintain dignity, especially for older adults.

Throughout the Trust, teams have been busy raising awareness and showcasing the work already underway to reduce falls. This has included the dedicated Falls Team and Manual Handling Team demonstrating specialist equipment used to help keep patients safe.

Staff were also introduced to the GERontologic Test experience – or GERT for short - a simulator suit that mimics the physical and sensory challenges of aging, giving hospital staff real insight into the impact on falls.

Daniel Hunter, Falls Lead at the Trust, said: "Falls prevention is everyone’s responsibility and we’re proud of the work being done and grateful to staff who go above and beyond to keep our patients safe. We’ve also been celebrating staff with our Falling Star Awards, for those who’ve shown excellence in pre-and post-fall care.

“Falls may be common, but they’re not inevitable. Thanks to staff across Basildon, Southend and Broomfield hospitals, steps are being taken - literally - to keep patients safer every day.”

The Trust is also working on several initiatives to help keep falls down and patients mobile and safe. This includes falls sensor equipment, which will be used to target key areas across the hospitals.

At Southend, a new Quality Improvement Project is focusing on preventing declining health in patients, which is a significant risk factor in falls, and a new Hot Debrief form is also being trialled. This helps teams review each fall in real time, improving learning, actions and documentation.

Across all hospitals, there are also slip safe socks provided to patients to reduce the risk of slipping when moving around.