EAST Lancashire health workers have been honoured after cutting the number of falls among the elderly.

NHS East Lancashire’s falls team which works across Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, was awarded an NHS Patient Safety Award.

Staff have reduced trips and falls among the over 65s by 25 per cent after adopting a number of innovative methods.

Workers have attended pensioners’ community groups, run Tai Chi classes to improve balance and handed out replacement ‘bungs’ for the end of walking sticks and frames.

The team also studied ambulance data on a monthly basis to identify hotspots which were then targeted.

Around 20,000 people across East Lancashire have had a fall in the past few years making initiatives to reduce the risk vital.

Statistics show up to 14,000 die every year in the UK because of trips.

Kathy Reade, chair of NHS East Lancashire, said: “It was wonderful to see the team get this recognition for all the work they do. Their achievement is fantastic.

 “This is the type of activity we are so proud of, and this is a first-class team which is running it.

“Their work takes them into the very heart of our local communities to help local people live a safer and more fulfilling life.

“It’s a perfect example of prevention rather than cure, of helping people to help themselves and stop accidents happening in the first place.

 “It’s wonderful that they have won this top national award against stiff competition.

“It’s a big thank-you from on high for their contribution to community health provision in East Lancashire.

“The real winners are, of course, people out there in the community. The less falls they have, the better it is for all concerned.”

Community Health Services’ director of nursing Val Carman added: “The Falls Team has made such a difference to people’s quality of life in and around their own home.”