Pensioners’ aged bed slippers blamed for boosting NHS waiting lists

CUT price slippers are slashing hospital waiting lists and lightening the load of busy ambulance drivers.
A fall prevention team found that worn out slippers were a major risk factor for pensioners.
Using Lottery funds, Well and Wise, the healthy living network based in Highgate Road, are offering the elderly a new pair of slippers for just £2.50.
With more of us living longer older people are increasingly vulnerable to falls that can lead to serious injury.
And the estimated annual cost to the health service is a whopping £6 billion.
Camden was one of eight pilot sites selected by the National Primary Care Development Trust.
In 2003, it is claimed the national project saved hospitals more than £1 million and cut waiting lists by lowering the number of falls.
At the start of 2004, the Well and Wise team were chosen to cut Camden’s high number of falls.
The team worked with older people and professionals in Gospel Oak, Kilburn and west Euston to modernise traditional fall prevention methods and raise awareness.
Kirsty Woodard, manager of Well and Wise, said the slipper exchanges had helped cut falls by a third.
She said: “After checking records from the London Ambulance Service in Camden throughout 2004 we found that the number of falls had dropped by 33 per cent. It’s the knock-on effect that people need to think about – 33 per cent fewer means 33 per cent fewer hip operations and more beds free for other injuries.”
But Mrs Woodard said getting pensioners to give up their old slippers was a tough job.
She said: “The problem is that they don’t want to give up their old slippers, which get smooth on the sole.
“With the Lottery funding we are able to sell new slippers for £2.50. We use the money to buy more and more slippers.” But although the slipper exchange had a tangible effect on falls, Mrs Woodard said there were other more sinister issues that could lead to a nasty fall.
She said: “Apart from the obvious problems like loss of sight, hearing or even just having a cluttered house there are other reasons old people fall down.”
She said often elderly people were prescribed too many drugs which made them drowsy and more likely to fall.
Pensioners could be taking up to six to seven medicines a day, said Mrs Woodard.
“It happens when they are given new medicine and no one stops their old prescriptions,” she said. “It’s one of the first things we look for. Because old people don’t go out much their muscles become weak and they fall over that way. We are looking into tai chi sessions to help the elderly increase their fitness.”
She added: “Camden Council are really taking this seriously. Falls cost the health service £6 billion a year.”
Camden now had a post at the PCT for prevention of falls and Well and Wise had was distributing a 33-page pamphlet to help raise awareness, Mrs Woodard said.

• On Tuesday, July 19, at 11am, junior health minister Caroline Flint MP will visit St Mary Magdalene’s Church crypt in Munster Square, NW1, for National Falls Prevention week.