One of our Clinical Lead Physiotherapist, Support and Independence Team members Claire Fallon delivered training on falls prevention to fire crews at Todmorden and Halifax.

Community Therapy Services and firefighters are now joining forces to prevent falls in the home. This is part of the Fire Service’s new safe and well check, which aims to support vulnerable people in their own homes.

Claire said: "People don’t always tell a health professional when they have fallen, or access help if they start to feel unsteady. People tend to only receive services after they have received medical attention due to injuring themselves from falling.

"We now hope and aim that the firefighters can offer advice about keeping safe, and prevent falls from happening through asking the right questions and noticing the right things when they visit to complete a Safe and Well check."

They have have already piloted the Safe and Well check in Calderdale, and have worked with other teams across West Yorkshire to create and standardised assessment, standardised pathway, and standardised training for the fire crews across the region