The Barnet Falls Prevention Service (FPS) is accessible to all adult (18 plus) patients who are registered with a Barnet GP practice and live within Barnet borders. It provides a seamless patient-centred, integrated and comprehensive FPS with the aim of reducing the risk of falling and enabling greater independence and self-care leading to overall reduction in falls-related admissions and social care needs. 

Services provided

The FPS identifies patients susceptible to falls and supports patients and carers in managing falls and osteoporosis, strengthening, self-care and making innovative use of community services.

The services provided are:

• Falls clinic assessments / treatment
• Home visit assessment / treatment by assistants or therapists as appropriate
• Falls group exercise classes and falls education classes.

Falls therapy clinic, risk assessments and therapy reviews are provided by the CLCH Trust Community Therapy Service within the local Barnet Community Hospital Clinics and each individual’s home, based on input required.

Falls medical clinic and medical reviews have been relocated to Barnet General Hospital (Geriatric Hot Clinic).

Please continue to send referrals by the usual process and the FPS will ensure the medical clinic will contact you directly with any information regarding appointments, medical assessment and management of each patient.

The team

The service is provided by physiotherapists, occupational therapists, clinical assistants, registered nurse and other health professionals.

Clinic hours

The clinic will be open from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday by appointment only. Messages can be left with the administration/SPA team during those hours.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusions

The FPS is available to patients over 18 years, with multiple falls or with unexplained/unresolved falls. Referrals are received from GPs and hospital nursing and medical staff, and community professionals.

A clinical assessment will be offered to Barnet resident and patients with:

• History of falls, trips and slips or near misses (including single faller with established gait and / or balance problem, e.g. BERG Test)
• Lack of confidence with balance and walking
• Diagnosis of osteoporosis or previous fragility fracture
• Fear of falling
• Decreased confidence due to falls
• Able to independently mobilise with or without a walking aid

Exclusions

The following exclusion will apply to the service:

• Medically unstable patient, for example people with an acute infection
• Patient with Parkinson’s disease or other long-term neurological conditions
• Patient with newly diagnosed/active neurological conditions including stroke
• Patient with uncontrolled mental health issues or problems
• Patient requiring one-to-one rehabilitation
• Patient with severe hip, knee or back pain or current injury that would significantly impede ability to participate
• Patient with severe COPD such that they are currently being seen by a specialist team and have a requirement for oxygen and do not have the physical capacity to cope with an exercise group.
• Cardio-vascular disease unstable
• Current unmanaged substance misuse (including alcohol abuse)

How to Refer