Falls Prevention Service

Providing advice and support with improving and maintaining your strength and balance.

Falls are a common and serious health issue for older people, with around a third of all people aged 65 and over falling each year, increasing to half of those aged 80 and over.  Some medical conditions can also cause you to be more likely to fall.

Fortunately, there are a whole host of things that can be done to help prevent falls and fractures.

Your GP, KCHFT and services run by the East Kent Hospital Trust all work together to provide you with support to prevent falls and help you recover from a fall.

East Kent Falls Prevention

Postural Stability Classes

In East Kent the Trust runs community based falls prevention classes called Postural Stability Classes

If you live in the area you can be referred by healthcare professionals, or self-refer, to take part in exercise classes of 14 or 36 weeks duration. These classes are specifically for those that do not require 1 to 1 treatment for falls prevention. Participants do not need to be fallers but may be feeling that they could fall in the future, have osteoporosis, balance or mobility issues.

Patients must be able to travel to the location of the falls group, walk 50 yards and stand independently for two minutes with or without aids, be able to follow instruction and have the consent of their GP or be medically fit to attend the group.

  • Ashford and Folkestone – 01303 854488
  • Swale and Herne Bay/Whitstable – 01795 879193
  • Thanet and Dover/Deal – 01843 254134

Intermediate Care Teams

Who were are

Intermediate Care Teams exist across East Kent and are made up of Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Rehab Workers.   These teams can support you if you are house bound and will come to visit you at home.

What we do

We can support you with an in depth assessment of your falls risk including physical, environmental and medical factors.  We aim to reduce the risk of falls, to improve outcomes for those who do fall and to help patients achieve maximum independence in daily living activities.   We may offer advice and information, equipment, support with strength and balance exercises or refer you on to a more appropriate service.

How do I access this service

If you are struggling to get out of your house because of your balance then please contact your GP who may feel it is appropriate to refer you one of the Intermediate Care Teams in East Kent for a falls risk assessment.

West Kent Falls Prevention

West Kent Falls Prevention Service

Who we are

We are a multi-disciplinary team that includes consultants, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and therapy assistants. We provide holistic assessment of falls risk factors including physical, environmental and medical factors.  We work within our clinics, patients’ homes and rehabilitation groups to ensure a seamless assessment and rehabilitation pathway.  We aim to reduce the risk of falls, to improve outcomes for those who do fall and to help patients achieve maximum independence in daily living activities.  This improves patient well-being, reduces admissions and reduces personal and financial costs in the long term.

What we do

  • Multifactorial falls and osteoporosis screening
  • Occupational Therapy assessment including environmental, home hazard, cognitive, and functional (Activities of Daily Living) factors
  • Physiotherapy assessment including balance and musculoskeletal assessment and, where appropriate, vestibular screening
  • Falls rehabilitation in group setting
  • Provision of equipment and minor adaptations
  • Case review patients by consultant geriatrician in multidisciplinary meeting
  • Consultant clinic appointment where indicated and liaison with GP regarding further assessment and treatment

How do I access this service

If you have a West Kent GP, are at risk of falls and are aged over 65 years old you may be appropriate for this service.

Referrals are to be made from health professional via:

West Kent Local Referral Unit  
0300 123 1950
kcht.LRUwestkent@nhs.net

Your stories

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Patient satisfaction

(Feedback from July to September 2019)

Your comments

December 2019
Folkestone

(Staff names) are excellent teachers who encourage you to work to within your limits but not to over do it. They make it enjoyable and fun so we learn and exercise in a very friendly atmosphere. The difference from when I first started classes is enormous. Although 36 weeks sounded a lot the weeks have flown by and I wish I could go on for longer/ever. Very informative and a great help. It has greatly increased my mobility.

December 2019
West Kent

Attention detailed. Pleasant approach.

July 2019
Swale

Very pleased with the balance class it has made me feel much better. (Postural Stability KCC)

July 2019
West Kent

Everyone was so pleasant, helpful and very thorough with examination. (Falls Prevention)

July 2019
Thanet

Have really enjoyed being a part of a group, all working hard to achieve better balance and mobility. The instructors have worked us hard, but been there every step of the way to support and educate. (Postural Stability KCHFT)

July 2019
Ashford

The exercises are very helpful and the group environment makes it enjoyable. (Postural Stability KCC)

July 2019
West Kent

I found this service reassures me. (Falls Prevention)

June 2019
Folkestone

I have enjoyed the Wednesday afternoon. The ladies are professional and make the exercises fun to do. I feel I have benefitted from these sessions. (KCC)

June 2019
West Kent

Very satisfied with what we have done.

June 2019
West Kent

Just to say thanks for your help, which I found very helpful and your kindness was much appreciated and all the good work. Thank you for your help regarding my balance it did help me and the exercises, thank you.

June 2019
West Kent

I am recommending this service, very useful.

June 2019
West Kent

Good as it is, no improvements needed. You all work very hard and a lovely team.

June 2019
West Kent

very helpful all questions answered. I left feeling everything was covered

June 2019
Ashford

Sessions well planned, support given individually as needed. Trainers professional and friendly. (KCC)

June 2019
West Kent

1. Great listening skills 2. Thoughtful comprehensive advice 3. Humanely, emotionally smart approach.

February 2019
Swale

The instructors who helps us are very good and understanding. (Postural Stability - KCC)

February 2019
Folkestone

The course is conducted by friendly, helpful, caring staff who constantly monitor our activities and encourage us all. They make the whole experience of exercise a most enjoyable one. Everyone leaves with a big smile on their faces. (Postural Stability - KCC)

February 2019
West Kent

Very helpful, realistic approach to exercise.

February 2019
West Kent

Found the service helpful. Previous experience was positive.

February 2019
Swale

I feel so much better physically and want to share it with others. (Postural Stability - KCC)

February 2019
Folkestone

Very good friendly class. Anyone having difficulty with any of the exercises is immediately helped as there is one person taking the class and one helping to make sure they are done correctly. (Postural Stability - KCC)

February 2019
Swale

I enjoyed it very much and felt better for it. (Postural Stability - KCHFT)

November 2019
Thanet

Having several medical problems, I found the course very helpful. It improved my balance and mobility. An altogether helpful and pleasant experience. (Postural Stability KCHFT)

December 2019
Herne Bay

Geared to person partaking. Light hearted and supportive. (Postural Stability KCC)

November 2019
Ashford

It was efficient, fun, caring, considerate. It did me a power of good. Lengthen the course. (Postural Stability KCHFT)

November 2019
Ashford

I would jump (because I can now!) at the chance to do another course or a longer course in the first place. (Postural Stability KCHFT)

November 2019
Shepway

I have benefitted greatly from the course. My balance has improved so I have more confidence when walking outdoors. I've found it a friendly place to be, the talks following the exercises have been so interesting and helpful, also the instructors have explained everything so clearly. I have enjoyed being on the course and am sorry that it has finished. (Postural Stability KCHFT)

May 2018
Herne Bay

Very appropriate exercises, well explained and demonstrated. Knowledgeable staff, very friendly. (Postural Stability)

May 2018
Swale

I have found the exercise class extremely beneficial and I'm sure family/friends would benefit likewise if necessary. (Postural Stability)

April 2018
Deal

I have found the service very beneficial and improved my mobility and confidence. Also good mentally as it is very friendly and good company. (Postural Stability)

April 2018
Folkestone

I have really enjoyed this course and don't want it to end. Everyone is so nice and helpful. I feel it has done me enormous good. (Postural Stability)

April 2018
Thanet

I've found these classes have been a great help to me and boosted my confidence a lot. (Postural Stability)

January 2018
Folkestone

The course does what it says and the physios are kind, friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. (Postural Stability)

January 2018
Ashford

The course is faultless with no need for any complaints. (Postural Stability)

January 2018
Folkestone

I feel it is a valuable service and my experience has been very positive. (Postural Stability)

February 2018
Thanet

Course is well staffed and good atmosphere. (Postural Stability)

February 2018
Ashford

I have benefitted so much from the sessions and the talks. I have not fallen or tripped since I started the classes and I feel more confident walking now. (Postural Stability)

February 2018
Folkestone

It has really helped my confidence and the people are lovely. (Postural Stability)

December 2016
Ashford

The course is very informative. The leaders are supportive and great fun making the course most enjoyable. I have found the exercises and advise most helpful. (Postural Stability)

December 2016
Deal

I feel I have greatly improved after completing this course. (Postural Stability)

December 2016
Thanet

I think they have been very helpful and friendly, giving you confidence.

December 2016
Maidstone

I have found the group very helpful especially to increase my confidence.