A HEALTH Minister was in the region yesterday to see a pioneering treatment for elderly people who suffer from unexplained falls or fainting.
Jacqui Smith visited the falls and syncope service in Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI). She met the NHS staff who provide the service and some of the patients benefiting from it.
She said: "This is a really interesting way of bringing together people interested in falls and older people's medicine and mental health, working really innovatively and making a difference."
The unit was the first of its kind when it was established in 1991. The RVI is the only hospital in the country to have a specialist ward for people with the symptoms.
Experts estimate that by investigating and treating the underlying causes of fainting or falls, the service has saved the NHS about £2.5m.
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