Falls and Syncope Service
Events and Calendar
Contact: Dr Joanna Lawson (0191) 2825237
Below are details of current and past events relating to the Falls and Syncope Service. To open a section simply click on the title.Dizziness for the Physician, 7th and 8th September 2009
Following our first highly successful Dizziness for the Physicians course in 2005 and demand generated by our BPPV presentation at the November BGS meeting we have designed a more practical based course for 2009. This CPD Approved 2 day programme of lectures, practical demonstrations and small group workshops will provide delegates with an overview of the assessment and management of the most common causes of dizziness in the older person and an understanding of balance rehabilitation.
The aims of the course are:
To provide delegates with an understanding of the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the vestibular system.
To provide delegates with the necessary skills to conduct a competent clinical examination of the older person with multi-factorial dizziness including BPPV through lectures and practical clinical demonstrations.
To assist delegates in the evaluation of clinical findings and developing coherent management pathways.
To provide delegates with an understanding of the underlying principles of balance rehabilitation.
Guest speakers include:
Professor Sue Whitney, Professor of Balance Rehabilitation
UPMC, Pittsburg, USA
Professor Linda Luxon, Consultant Audiological Physician
National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queens Square, London
Dr DorisEva-Bamiou, Consultant Audiological Physician
National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queens Square, London
Dr Joanna Lawson, Department of Health Champion for Balance
Falls and Syncope Service, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne
The course venue is Novotel, Ponteland Road, Kenton, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 3HZ
Tel: 0191 214 0303.
www.novotel.com/gb/hotel-1118-novotel-newcastle-airport/index.shtml
Location map: www.novotel.com/gb/hotel-1118-novotel-newcastle-airport/location.shtml
The Novotel is located on the outskirts of Newcastle City Centre, off junction of the A1, and is easily accessible from Newcastle, and by free shuttle bus from Newcastle Airport.
Day Rate (course and refreshments only): £295
Full Rate (course, refreshments, overnight accommodation, lunch and dinner 7th September, breakfast and lunch 8th September): £350
Please make cheques payable to Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust and post with completed booking form to:
Dr Joanna Lawson, Falls and Syncope Service
Royal Victoria Infirmary
Queen Victoria Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4LP Tel: (0191) 2825237
If you have any dietary or other special requirements please include these on your booking form.
Please note that bookings can not be taken without full payment and booking form. A confirmation email will be sent once payment is received.
Closing date for bookings: 1st July 2009.
We reserve the right to cancel the course should unforeseen circumstances dictate. Full refunds would be given.
Dizziness for the Physician Booking Form, Flyer and Proposed Itinerary
Dizziness for the Physician Information Leaflet - 379.12kb PDF
Dizziness for the Physician Provisional Itinerary - 198.45kb PDF
Falls awareness Day, 26th June 2007Show [+]Hide [-]
To mark National Falls Awareness Day over 200 pensioners waltzed and twirled the afternoon away at a Free Tea Dance organised by the Falls and Syncope Service and sponsored by Ringtons, Greggs, and Eldon Leisure, who provided the facilities for free. Entry was free and guests included regular tea dancers from around the Newcastle area.
Accompanying the Falls and Syncope Service were a number of organisations including the North East Ambulance Service, Community Care Alarm Service, and Your Homes North East, Disability North, Quality of Life, Peacocks, Age Concern, The Search Project, Newcastle Warm Zone, and The Volunteer Centre. All were promoting the importance of fall prevention, and how gentle, physical activity such as dancing, Tai Chi and walking can strengthen muscles and avert a potentially devastating fall.
In addition to the dancing there was also a warmly received Tombola, and a Slipper Exchange, (slippers being kindly provided by The Quality of Life Organisation and fitted by the PCT Podietry service), whereby those attending the Tea Dance could hand in their current slippers, and in return receive new, grip soled slippers, properly fitted by podiatrists. “Older people often get slippers as presents but frequently they’re the wrong size and don’t have any fasteners to keep them on” explained Sister Pam Reeve, Clinical Nurse Specialist at the Falls and Syncope Service “And inadequately fitted slippers encourage people to drag their feet, or could cause someone to trip over.”
The Annual Falls Awareness Day aims to provide a fun and informative day out, but there is also a serious side; falls can have a devastating effect on an elderly person’s life, ranging from loss of confidence to significant injury that requires months of rehabilitation, or even death. Falls account for 82% of all accidental deaths in the home among the 75 plus age group, and once a person has fallen, they are most likely to fall again. Despite the ominous prognosis, falls can be prevented by taking a few simple measures.
This year the message is all about getting out and about, and being aware of hazards in their environment, both inside and outside the home; exercise such as dancing, not only helps strengthen muscles and encourage balance, also provides a good social outlet and encourages independence and mobility.
In addition to regular, enjoyable exercise, hazard identification, reasonable fluid intake, a healthy diet, and early identification of medical precipitants can all significantly reduce the risk of falling, and the subsequent injuries sustained.
For information on future Falls Awareness Days and other related events, contact Dawn on 0191 2825337 or via e-mail on dawn.jungerius@nuth.nhs.uk.
