Geriatrician Led Falls clinics are held at UHCW on a Monday and Tuesday afternoon & Rugby St. Cross on a Tuesday morning
Suitable patients for referral include those who have had falls or complex patients at high risk of falls who would benefit from Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment.
Whilst we would like to use clinic time more efficiently, we appreciate that our GP colleagues are pressured for time.
In addition to the circumstances of the fall and associated symptoms, social history and level of function, past medical history and drug history usually provided in the referral letter, we would be grateful if the following could be done whilst the patient awaits a clinic appointment.
- FBC, U&E, LFTs, Bone profile, Vitamin D, TSH, glucose, B12 and folate (CK and ESR if on statin or if there is a suggestion of myalgia)
- 12 lead ECG if history suggestive of a cardiac cause for syncope/fall OR if a patient is on heart rate limiting drugs e.g. beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers OR if there is no clear cause for the fall
- It would be helpful if a lying and standing BP is checked
For younger independent adults with syncope, please consider referral to the T-LOC (transient loss of consciousness) clinic with our Cardiology Colleagues.
For contact details please see ‘Falls referral contact details’ in the useful links to the right.
Referral Criteria
The following patients are considered to be at high risk of falls and may be referred for further assessment:
- Single fall with gait and balance problem
- Recurrent falls in the last year
- Difficulties with walking or balance
Please see below for specific Coventry and Rugby information.
Coventry Guidance 
Routes of Referral
There are multiple individual services catering for patients at risk of falls. You may need to refer to more than one service.
1. Geriatrician led falls clinics at University Hospital or Rugby St Cross Hospital
If appropriate, all patients at high risk of falls should be referred to one of these clinics via Referral Support Service (RSS). Please see right link for further details of the clinics.
2. Physiotherapy
If appropriate all patients at high risk of falls should be referred to a physiotherapy service for functional assessment and exercise interventions.
Coventry Falls Prevention Service: This is physiotherapy led falls prevention service for Coventry patients, including a seven weeks falls exercise programme.
Please see right for:
- a description of the service and contact details
- Falls referral form (please be aware, guidance notes are on page 3 of the form)
- A patient information leaflet on the Coventry Falls Physiotherapy Service
3. Occupational Therapy
All patients living at home should be considered for referral to an occupational therapist for home hazard assessment and intervention.
4. Cardiology Clinic
Patients suffering from syncope without other major falls risk factors should be referred to Cardiology clinic for further assessment.
Rugby Guidance
Routes of Referral
There are multiple individual services catering for patients at risk of falls. You may need to refer to more than one service.
1. Geriatrician led falls clinics at University Hospital or Rugby St Cross Hospital
Gerontology Referral via the NHS eReferral Service, contact Nick Balcombe, Consultant, University Hospital, Coventry and Warwickshire or Hospital of St Cross.
2. Physiotherapy
There is no specific physiotherapy service for Rugby patients to prevent falls. You may consider a referral to Core Physiotherapy in Rugby.
3. Occupational Therapy
All patients living at home should be considered for referral to an occupational therapist for home hazard assessment and intervention.
4. Cardiology Clinic
Patients suffering from syncope without other major falls risk factors should be referred to Cardiology clinic for further assessment.
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