A NEW initiative to protect residents at risk of tripping and falling in the region is being funded by NHS North Yorkshire and York.

The scheme stretches across Hambleton and Richmondshire and it has been welcomed by doctors in North Yorkshire.

The package to combat the problem has seen three full-time and one part-time post created with funding from the NHS group’s falls practitioners’ section.

It seeks to help all ages at risk from trips and falls but most of the work will be with the elderly.

Angela Abel, falls prevention co-ordinator and a community staff nurse based in Hambleton and Richmondshire, said patients would have an assessment.

Patients will be regularly reviewed after this to see if simple alterations can make a difference.

Anna Walters-Holliday, senior service development manager with the NHS team, said: "The new falls practitioners in Hambleton and Richmondshire will work together to identify existing and potential fallers, advise them on how to minimise the risk of having a fall, and refer them on to appropriate services if necessary.

"The falls practitioners are registered general nurses who will deliver holistic care packages to those considered at risk or who have fallen.

"The care packages look at both the physical and mental aspects of people considered at risk of falls and plan individual care packages for each patient to help reduce the risk of hospital admissions."