Falls Prevention Lead

The post holder will have a lead role in the development and delivery of the Falls service aimed at identifying people at risk from falling, and preventing falls and fractures, through prevention strategies. They will work as an autonomous practitioner with specialist knowledge and skill in relation to falls prevention and management.

The post holder will be accountable for providing clinical care to patients and advice and support to multi-disciplinary teams, with accountability for ensuring the provision of the highest standards of patient care through on-going assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of programmes of care.

The post holder will be an experienced Allied Health Professional (AHP) or Registered Nurse (RN) who will support the ongoing management in relation to patient falls. Identifying and taking a key role in the implementation of medium and long-term strategies to reduce falls, undertaking education and training of staff, audit, and analysis of falls data.

The post holder will support the implementation of a strategy to ensure falls prevention can be sustained beyond the lifetime of this post, working towards excellence in patient safety.

The Falls Prevention Lead will deliver training and education and service improvements in this area as a major job responsibility.

The post holder will be responsible for establishing high quality healthcare practice, through the provision of strong leadership, providing direction to staff across the Trust and the provision of the identification, monitoring and mitigation of risks of falls.

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a modern District General Hospital, offering an excellent working environment. The Therapy and Nursing departments are committed to forging links with Bournemouth University, engaging with regional and national networks and increasing our involvement in Advanced Practice and research.

Dorset County Hospital has received investment to refurbish and extend the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) which will make a huge difference to both the people who use it and the dedicated staff and teams who work in ED, ICU and other connected departments. The new ED and ICU is part of the Government's New Hospital Programme and will help us expand our facilities on site and support wider plans to improve our site over the next five years.

Much of West Dorset is designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty, and the Jurassic coastline is protected by World Heritage status. There are numerous beaches within easy reach, and Portland harbour promotes a wide range of water sport activities. The area is largely rural, with good rail and road links. The closest airport is situated in Bournemouth.

If you are ready for a new challenge, with a passion for delivering high quality, safe, personal and effective care join us at Dorset County Hospital for the next step on your career ladder.

**Main clinical responsibilities**:

- To contribute in the development of efficient and effective clinical pathways for patients at risk of falls within the Trust.
- To provide professional support to clinical teams, delivering evidence based expert falls prevention advice that supports the provision of the most effective care to patients with a diverse range of clinical conditions, reducing their risk of falling and risk of suffering harm as a result of their fall.
- Providing and receiving highly complex information, where co-operation is required from staff and/or patients, using developed interpersonal and communication skills.
- Exercising a high degree of professional autonomy and demonstrating the ability to make sound decisions based on knowledge and experience.
- Making specific interventions based on evidence and which are appropriate to assessed needs, context, and culture, in partnership with patients, clients and other professions.
- To monitor trends and significant issues related to falls and to work alongside the care groups using QI methodology to reduce the incidence and impact of falls.
- To monitor, review and audit effectiveness and implementation of falls policies.
- To advise managers and employees on current practices and specific falls problems.
- To advise ward staff on patient specific falls issues for care planning and/or complex patients.
- To advise on the fall’s aspects of new projects and equipment purchasing.
- To support the co-ordination of the Trust Falls Action Group meetings and other meetings as appropriate, providing specialist advice and guidance on falls prevention issues.
- To provide regular reports, thematic analysis, and feedback to relevant managers and the Falls Improvement Group.
- To support investigations in which patients have sustained fracture & serious injury.
- To maintain clinical and professional skills and standards.
- In partnership with patients, clients, and other professions, make sound decisions, which are ethically based in the interests of patients and c