Guideline for GP Practice Falls Screening
Framework for Action for Scotland highlights that health and social care services have a conversation to identify people who have fallen or are at risk of falling. This includes:
- Anyone over the age of 65.
- Anyone who may be at risk of falls due to a long term condition such as dementia, multiple sclerosis, arthritis etc.
Lanarkshire has developed a Falls Pathway to ensure that anyone who is identified as being at risk of falls or has had a fall has the opportunity for further assessment and intervention. The basic falls screening conversation may take place in the GP practice using the 6 screening questions contained in this referral.
What happens next?
The referral will be reviewed by the Falls Register Team for further triage and signposting
The Falls Register team will contact the patient and discuss their basic falls screening and commence a more detailed Falls Assessment. They will signpost the person to Leisure, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Social Care, Community Rehabilitation and Home Fire Safety as appropriate. All referrals to the register team are discussed with the specialist Falls Team and can be passed for more complex assessment as appropriate.
The Falls Register is a database of all patients who have had a falls screening conversation. The Register Team can review previous falls assessments and discuss any new falls with the specialist Falls Team and GP Practice/Care Manager.
If the patient has more complex falls needs and requires medical assessment, they referral will be forwarded to Falls Medical Clinic for Complex Falls Assessment at the location selected in the referral.
What can the GP Practice do to help prevent falls?
- Provide information on healthy active ageing (see useful resources)
- Lying and Standing blood pressure check
- Medication Review
- Leisure referral for strength and balance
Useful Resources
There are several resources available to support the pathway:
Up and About Booklet available from Jim Rae, Health Promotion Library Email Tel: 01698 377629.
Falls Team Contact
Falls Register, Glendoe Building, Coathill Hospital, Coatbridge, ML5 4DN
- Lanarkshire Falls Register Tel: 01236 707716
- Lanarkshire Falls Service Tel: 01236 707750
Reference:
Lead Clinician:
Review Date: