NICE says NHS must curb hospital falls

[Northerner]

The NHS needs to do more to prevent falls in hospitals, the health watchdog NICE has warned.

Each year in England some 200,000 patients - mostly elderly - slip or trip, resulting in cuts, bruises and fractures that cost the NHS ?2.3bn.

NICE says staff should be on the look out for high-risk patients - the over 65s and those over 50 with dementia, stroke or vision or hearing problems.

Patients should use bedside buzzers if they need nursing help, it adds.

The new recommendations say that many falls are entirely avoidable.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22840966

 

[Pumper_Sue]

My elderly and infirm father had a fall the last day he was in hospital. No member of staff informed any family members and from that day my father has never walked nor is he ever likely to either.