New funding for app to support people at risk of falls

An innovative digital project to help people who fall or are at high risk of falling has secured funding for its second phase.
 
No Need To Fall is being co-designed with people who have lived experience of falls and those who provide support and care and the wider workforce.
 
The project is being led in NHS Lanarkshire by Dr Ana Talbot In collaboration with North and South Lanarkshire Councils HSCPs, the University of Strathclyde, Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre and six local and national voluntary sector charities, with project management provided by Sophie Bagnall at the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde-hosted West of Scotland Innovation Hub.
 
Phase 2 of the project will see daily care and support needs being addressed and prepare appropriate responses in the event of a fall.
 
The team will use the roll out of a new digital alarm receiving platform to early adopters in Scotland in early 2024 to explore the opportunities around digital tools to helps responders in the event of a person having a fall.
 
Research from Phase 1 of this project found people who draw on support and care feel falls are an inevitable part of ageing, but also blame themselves when they occur.
 
They often avoid using technology that could help due to negative associations with ageing and may have lower levels of digital literacy.
 
The project seeks to address a number of these findings and provide digital solutions that are empowering, support relational aspects and prevent falls. 

Project lead Dr Ana Talbot, Consultant in Older Adult Medicine, NHS Lanarkshire, and West of Scotland Innovation Hub Clinical Fellow, said: “Moving into Phase 2 of this project allows us to more fully explore how we can address the needs of people who draw on support and care and those that provide it utilising the opportunities around digital tools.  
 
“Addressing digital literacy and giving people the confidence to use this technology, which is now commonplace, is a very important part of how we approach support and care.
 
“I am delighted that we as a team are working with our partners to improve outcomes for people who have some of the highest risk of falls.”
 
The project is being supported by The Health Foundation.
 
Visit the West of Scotland innovation Hub website for more information on healthcare innovation.