I work in the community
Tayside is divided into three Health and Social Care Partnerships; Angus, Dundee, and Perth and Kinross. Each Partnership has their own approach to supporting people in the community who have fallen or at risk of falling. These approaches incorporate the same three levels of assessment/interventions.
You can find more specific information on how each individual area works via the links below.
Level 1
Any member of staff could have the initial conversation which finds someone has fallen or is at risk of falling; this is known as Level 1. At this point our aim is to identify people who would benefit from further assessment and intervention carried out at level 2.
Answering yes to any of the following questions indicates the need for further assessment or intervention;
• Have you had two or more falls in the past 12 months?
• Did you have any loss of consciousness, blackouts, dizziness at the time of the fall/s?
• Do you have any difficulties with your walking or balance?
• Are you having difficulties carrying out your usual daily activities following the fall/s?
• Are you afraid of falling?
If you are not the right person to carry out an assessment or intervention, your referral should include the answers from this conversation.
We offer a person centred approach so if someone declines further assessment/intervention they can be directed to our
'I live in ….' on the patients carers and families page for information and advise on who to contact should their circumstances change.
Level 2
The Tayside Multifactorial Assessment form (MFA) can be accessed on your local systems. A multifactorial falls risk screening process which aims to (a) identify risk factors for falling and for sustaining a fragility fracture, and (b) guide tailored intervention. Some departments complete their own specialist assessment forms, check that they include the same range of questions detailed in the diagram below.
Level 3
A specialist assessment aims to assess further the risk factors identified, with a view to providing tailored intervention to reduce the risk of falls and/or fractures. Aspects of this specialist assessment could be carried out by a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or others depending on what risk factors have been identified. The Level 2 multifactorial falls risk screening may also be carried out by the person providing the specialist assessment and tailored intervention if one has not already been done for that episode of care.
Falls and Fracture Prevention Action Plan
The Fall and Fracture Prevention Action Plan is a tailored multifactorial action plan, agreed with the person (and carers, if appropriate), which addresses risk factors and issues identified in the level 2 screen. The plan reflects the person’s needs, goals and choices. A person’s perception and beliefs regarding their ability and motivation are considered when developing the plan.
