WIREDGOV

With falls being the leading cause of accidental death in older people, the RoSPA Home Safety Congress on Thursday, March 16, will put their prevention at centre stage.

Falls not only have devastating consequences to the quality of life for those who suffer them, but also lead to strains on the NHS, local authorities and social services.

RoSPA’s Home Safety Congress will take a look at new approaches and good practice, from core principles of valuing quality of life, to evaluating the effectiveness of strategies and programmes.

Talks this year will cover issues such as the role of aids and adaptations, the fire service as a health asset, falls prevention and management in Scotland, reducing sarcopenia, and RoSPA’s own Stand Up, Stay Up programme – which will showcase local falls prevention work and provide opportunities to discuss new approaches.

Speakers include Daniel MacIntyre, population health services manager for Public Health England, Claire Turner, director of evidence at the Centre for Ageing Better, Ashley Martin, RoSPA’s public health project manager, and Dr Allison Smith, head of strategy and development at the Royal Voluntary Service. Exhibitors at the conference include Kid Rapt and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Sheila Merrill, public health adviser for RoSPA, said: “Falls are devastating, life-changing events for older people and are one of the major issues facing the health and social services in the UK today. They deserve the utmost focus to prevent unnecessary suffering, and to reduce strain on services.

“The congress will benefit anyone who works with older people, or who is involved in strategic planning for injury prevention.”

RoSPA’s Home Safety Congress 2017 takes place between 9.30am and 3.50pm at The Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport, and is kindly sponsored by Micromarketing Ltd, a promotional products agency which works with private, public and not-for-profit organisations in the UK supplying corporate branded gifts, bespoke promotional products and merchandise.

For more information of to book a place, see www.rospa.com/events/home, or contact the RoSPA events team on 0121 248 2090 or events@rospa.com.