(Image: Supplied)
A FRESH focus on patient safety is underway.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is stepping up its efforts to reduce avoidable falls among patients, particularly those who are older and more vulnerable to serious injury.
During National Falls Awareness Week, held from September 22 to 25, the trust’s falls team delivered targeted training to clinical staff to raise awareness and improve prevention strategies.
Yasmin Walsh, senior sister and falls prevention lead at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, said: "We take falls prevention extremely seriously and are committed to doing everything we can to keep our patients safe.
"Falls Prevention Week is an important opportunity to raise awareness, but our focus on preventing avoidable falls continues throughout the year."
The training covered the effects of deconditioning—muscle weakening due to prolonged bed rest—which increases the risk of falls and delays recovery.
Staff also used specialist goggles that simulate visual impairments to better understand the challenges some patients face.