Information
The East Lothian Falls pathway is hosted within the East Lothian Rehabilitation Service (ELRS) and is delivered by a team of physiotherapists, exercise specialists, and community care workers.
Our team provides specialist therapy for individuals who have experienced a fall, are at risk of falling, or have a fear of falling. We focus on early, targeted interventions to help prevent avoidable falls and reduce associated risks.
We offer falls prevention, education, and management through two pathways: 1-1 outpatient clinic and ‘steady-on’ falls prevention classes.
All referrals will be triaged by the team and directed to the appropriate service. Classes and clinic appointments are available across the county.
The core hours of the service are Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm
1:1 Outpatient Clinic Appointments
For individuals requiring personalised assessment and intervention to reduce their risk of falling.
Interventions provided:
- Multifactorial assessment identifying risk factors associated with falls including environment, mobility and transfers, balance, technology, footwear/footcare, hearing/eyesight, equipment, medication, bone health, cognition, and continence.
- Education and advice on falls prevention and management.
- Gait and balance rehabilitation including tailored exercise programmes to improve strength and balance.
- Referrals to appropriate services, including audiology, occupational therapy, vestibular services, social work, third sector organisations, and community exercise classes.
‘Steady On’ Falls Prevention Group
Is an evidence-based,13-week structured programme combining exercise and education to improve strength, balance, confidence, and understanding of falls. This group setting supports participants in managing and reducing their risk and fear of falling.
These sessions will also include an education session to enable discussion and learning, often delivered by external speakers e.g. pharmacy, podiatry, etc.
M.A. & C.D.F. 09-12-25
Who can refer:
Primary Care:
GP’s, Practice Nurses, ANP’s with SCI Gateway access
Secondary Care:
MOE Consultants
AHP’s:
Acute Physiotherapists, Community AHP’s within the wider East Lothian Rehabilitation Service
Patients/Carers/Family members:
Self-referral is available to all East Lothian residents
Who to refer:
- Residents of East Lothian
- Had a fall
- At risk of falling
- Fear of falling
Who not to refer:
- Patients who are undergoing extensive investigation for a medical cause to their falls
- Patients who are acutely unwell and at immediate risk of admission, these referrals should be directed to our Prevention of admission service
- Patients with potential undiagnosed significant injury (e.g. acute onset significant back pain with risk of potential fracture)
- Patients with a LD diagnosis or complex MH diagnosis – please refer to appropriately aligned teams for input
How to refer:
Primary Care Pathway:
Referrals should be made via SCI Gateway:
AHP – Physiotherapy
East Lothian – East Lothian Rehabilitation Service
LI Physiotherapy
FAO: Falls Team
Secondary Care:
MOE consultants can refer via email to eastlothianphysioreferrals@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
AHPs:
Email referrals accepted to: eastlothianphysioreferrals@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
Patient Self-Referral:
Patient/family member/carer can call ELRS Single Point of Contact Phoneline on 0300 3690680 to self-refer for a falls assessment
Home – Access to a Better Life in East Lothian – ELRS Digital Platform with advice, resources and external links to support self-management and self-assessment for equipment.
