Your Hospital Stay

Hospital stethoscope
We do everything we can to reduce the chance of a patient falling in hospital, but unfortunately this can still happen for lots of reasons. Falls can happen because of an illness or because of an injury a patient is being treated for, but the chances of falling are higher if you are:
  • Aged 65 or over
  • Confused
  • Taking certain medicines
  • Someone who has fallen before
We will want to work out your risk level and try to reduce your chance of falling with help from our nurses, doctors, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

What you can do to help

  • Let us know if you have fallen before or are worried about falling
  • Listen to any advice staff give you
  • Ask for help by using your call bell
  • Take your time when moving and get up slowly. Sit up for a few moments on the edge of your bed before standing and make sure you feel steady before you start walking. If you feel dizzy, stop, sit down and let the ward staff know.
  • Keep everything you need within reach and don’t stretch
  • Use walking sticks or frames in the way physiotherapists tell you
  • Wear your shoes or slippers and make sure they are non-slip, well-fitting and in good repair
  • Wear your glasses and hearing aids as prescribed. If you are wearing multi-focal glasses, take extra care when walking or using stairs
  • Tell staff about medicines you take at home
  • Make sure you have plenty to drink so that you don’t become dehydrated and get confused.
  • Try not to lean on hospital furniture as it is often on wheels

What carers can do to help

  • Tell staff anything you think is important
  • Tell staff if you have any concerns about your relative
  • Tell staff about any spills, trailing cables or anything untidy
  • When you leave, make sure the patient area is clear and put chairs back
  • Take any belongings that are not needed home to help avoid clutter
  • Make sure your relative can reach the call bell and their belongings (glasses, water etc.)
  • Make sure your relative knows that you’re leaving

Even following this advice, it is possible that some patients will fall. Our person-centred care approach means we will follow their wishes, or act in their best interests if they are unable to communicate their wishes. Please be aware that we cannot restrain patients or take away their freedoms.
Staying active is an important part of preventing falls, both in everyday life and during hospital stays.  Click on the image below to learn how you can help your loved ones keep moving during their hospital stay.
Why moving more is important -Leaflet front page

What hospital staff will do to help

Your risk of falling will be assessed on the ward. Staff will work with you to help reduce your risk of falling by finding out what might cause a fall and addressing those factors.

  • Addressing falls risk factors may look like working with a physiotherapist, waiting for assistance before you get out of bed or your chair, reducing medications that contribute to falls, ensuring you wear good footwear and a range of other interventions.
  • If you need help moving around the ward, our staff will assist you. We will also encourage you to be as independent as possible while keeping you safe.
  • If you do fall or if your health changes while you are in hospital, we will reassess your risk and make adjustments as needed.
  • We may provide information leaflets to help you when you leave the hospital and to help other support you.
  • For some people bedrails may be useful. You can find more information about them in the patient leaflet link below
If you have any concerns about falls, please speak to the nurse in charge of the ward as soon as possible.