Slipper Swap Gives Dangerous Footwear The Boot In Crawley

As part of West Sussex County Council (WSCC) Wellbeing Month in March, tens of pairs of tired and worn-out slippers were traded in for new sturdy, safer pairs as a very successful West Sussex slipper swap took place in Crawley.

It is hoped that the initiative will help to reduce the risk of falls among the elderly, and it forms part of a much wider drive to help prevent more people from suffering a fall, which can lead to serious injury.

In 2017/18 in West Sussex there were 4,772 hospital admissions due to falls by people aged 65 and older, with an estimated cost a year to the NHS locally of treating hip fractures around £20 million.

WSCC cabinet member for adults and health, Amanda Jupp, says: “Ensuring that we all wear suitable, comfortable footwear is a very easy way of reducing the risk of falling.”

For more information about helping to prevent falls, visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/falls