The local falls and osteoporosis service: does it meet the needs of patients?

This articles examines a local evidence-based falls and osteoporosis service that used a pathway of screening, multi-factorial assessment and interventions. Patients were not asked whether the service met their needs so a questionnaire was developed and distributed to people aged 65 and over attending day hospitals or falls clinics in the south east of England for falls assessment. The study showed general satisfaction, but indicated that older people are not helped to understand services. Such understanding could be enhanced by discussing risk factors and their implications, and through the provision of written information.