A HOSPITAL trust is to take action after a rise in the number of falls.
A report obtained under the Freedom of Information Act shows the number of falls at Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust was 144 in May and 125 in June.
It tries to limit the number of falls at Colchester General Hospital and Essex County Hospital to 96 a month.
It found high-risk patients were not always screened when they were admitted to hospital and the reasons for falls was not fully investigated.
A study of 16 patients who fell a total of 45 times found 65 per cent had a known history of falls and 69 per cent were mentally confused.
Julie Firth, director of nursing and patient experience, said: “Our work in falls prevention has been recognised nationally with a case study detailing our work included in last year’s publication of the NHS Patient Safety First Campaign ‘Reducing Harm from Falls Guidance’.”
She added the hospital had also appointed a nurse consultant for older people whose work would include helping to reduce fall rates.
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