(October 15th 2026) Tallaght University Hospital in partnership with the HSE has launched a new seven‑part animated series designed to support patients, families, carers and healthcare professionals in understanding and reducing falls risk. Each one‑minute episode delivers clear, practical guidance in an accessible and engaging format, supported by accompanying educational materials.
Commenting on the launch of the series, Dr. Paul McElwaine, Consultant Geriatrician at TUH said “Falls have a profound impact on patients and families, but many are preventable with the right knowledge and support. This series gives people practical, easy‑to‑understand information they can use straight away, whether at home, in the community or in hospital. By making education accessible, we can reduce avoidable harm, improve confidence and help people stay independent for longer.”
Falls are one of the main causes of injury and loss of independence for people both in hospital and at home. They affect older adults most, as well as people living with long‑term illness, frailty or mobility difficulties. A fall can lead to broken bones, head injuries, longer hospital stays and, in some cases, the need for ongoing support. Falls can also have emotional effects - people may become afraid of falling again, lose confidence, or withdraw from everyday activities. All of this can make it harder to stay active and independent.
In acute care environments, falls are among the most commonly reported patient safety incidents, while in the community they represent a major driver of emergency presentations and admissions. Importantly, many falls are preventable through evidence‑based interventions including risk factor assessment, patient and caregiver education, environmental modification and multidisciplinary management.
The animated series was developed by a TUH consultant working across both hospital and community services, with input from multidisciplinary colleagues and patients. Funding from the Hospital’s Hip Fracture Committee enabled the engagement of a professional design team to create short, high‑quality videos with clear, consistent messaging. The resource will be available across TUH and community services, supporting a unified approach to falls prevention and patient education.
This project directly supports the Hospitals Strategy, particularly our commitment to joined‑up services, reducing unnecessary hospital visits and empowering patients to manage their health closer to home. By providing consistent, high‑quality educational tools across both hospital and community settings, the series strengthens prevention, supports safer care, and enhances patient independence.
The series can be viewed via this link or by scanning the QR code below.
