A special Falls Prevention Bus manned by healthcare staff travelled around Harrow as part of a range of activities for Harrow Falls Awareness Day on Tuesday last week.

The bus called at various sites across the borough, where staff from Harrow Primary Care Trust (PCT), The North West London Hospitals Trust and Age Concern Harrow were on hand with information and advice for the public on what they can do to prevent a fall, and what help is available for those who have suffered falls.

Meena Shah, Harrow PCT's Falls Co-ordinator said: "With an increasingly elderly population, and with studies showing that up to 20 per cent of people die after a hip fracture, dealing with people who are liable to fall is becoming an increasing priority.

"In Harrow we run a wide range of programmes to increase older patients' mobility and ensure that their homes are as safe for them as possible, to minimise the chances of them falling. Our exercise classes at community centres and Northwick Park Hospital are especially for people who have had falls, to help them get their mobility back and feel more confident. However, it's equally important for us to educate Harrow's older people about the risk factors and how to avoid falls in the first place."

Practical advice, walking stick checks and a video on exercise and Falls Prevention is available, along with information about local exercise classes and other help Harrow PCT and Age Concern offer for those who have fallen.

Liz Jerome, health advisor for older people said: "We want to highlight the risk of falls and the services that are available.

"When people fall at home they can break a hip or leg and then get taken to hospital. However there are lots of things available to prevent the fall in the first place for example proper footwear and hip protectors."

For more information on a helpline alarm contact 020 8861 3242.

ttreanor@london.newsquest.co.uk