Latest news with #RoSPA
The Herald Scotland
28-05-2025
- Climate
- The Herald Scotland
Young men most likely to drown despite drop in water-related deaths
While the overall number of water-related fatalities fell to 78 in 2024, the lowest level since 2018, recent statistics from 2024 suggest that young men are disproportionately affected. The Drowning and Incident Review (DIR) dashboard also provides more specific and in-depth live data, which is updated monthly. According to the published WAID figures, of the 33 accidental deaths, over half (55 per cent) occurred in coastal waters - a shift from the historical trend of inland waterway incidents. Recreational activities were involved in 46% of these fatalities, and April emerged as the deadliest month. READ MORE: Encouragingly, overall drownings and accidental drownings are at their lowest levels in Scotland, the accidental fatality rate dropped to 0.60 per 100,000 people, continuing a downward trend. Carlene McAvoy, Founder of Water Safety Scotland and RoSPA's Senior Policy Manager, said: 'This year's figures show real progress; water-related fatalities in Scotland are at their lowest levels. However, this is not a time for complacency, as every water-related fatality is a tragedy. Last year's data show that young men were the most affected, with coastal waters currently the most common location for deaths, so we must continue to focus our efforts to address these concerns with targeted safety messages and interventions. "Fortunately, the introduction of the Drowning and Incident Review (DIR) in May 2023 has helped to improve the quality and clarity of fatality data, reducing the number of 'not recorded' outcomes and has provided deeper insights into incident causes, which we will continue to use to help identify risk factors now and in the future.' Community Safety Minister Siobhain Brown said: 'My thoughts and sympathies are with the families and friends who have lost a loved one in a drowning accident. "I encourage everyone to protect themselves and others when in and around the water and to be aware that water temperature can vary drastically, as can currents and tides. It's well worth learning the Water Safety Code and using the resources of Water Safety Scotland so people can stay safe and prevent accidents in our waters.'
The Guardian
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Let's not wait for fatal accidents to happen
Denis Campbell's article rightly highlights the UK's worsening health outcomes (UK 'the sick person of the wealthy world' amid increase in deaths from drugs and violence, 20 May), but it overlooks a key driver: the sharp rise in preventable accidents. Research by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) shows that the rate of accidental deaths has surged by 42% in the past decade and has risen fastest in the middle-aged. Accidents are now the second leading cause of death for under‑40s. These are not random tragedies; they are systemic failures. Currently there is no government plan to address this issue and responsibility is fragmented across many departments. RoSPA is calling for a national accident prevention strategy to get the UK back on track. Accidents cost the NHS £6bn annually and result in 29 million lost working days – 10 times more than strikes. A coordinated, cross-government approach would save lives, ease pressure on the NHS and support economic growth. We cannot continue to ignore a crisis that is both avoidable and escalating. Other nations have shown that strategic, data-led prevention policies can dramatically reduce accidental harm. The UK must follow suit by appointing a dedicated minister to lead a cross-departmental response. Without leadership and investment, we risk allowing this silent epidemic to grow – at immense human and economic Cole Director of policy and impact, RoSPA, Dr James Broun Research manager, RoSPA Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Safety call after fatal falls more than double in NI
The number of people who have died as the result of a fall in Northern Ireland more than doubled over a 10-year period, according to official statistics. There were 378 fatal falls in 2022, compared to 178 deaths a decade earlier in 2013. That is an increase of 113%, a rise which the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) described as "truly shocking". Its research manager, James Broun, said RoSPA is "fully expecting this trend to continue rising if we don't start seeing the right prevention measures". Mr Broun said falls "can affect all age groups" but older people are at more risk of death from a slip or trip. "That's typically because they are more susceptible to falling and when they do fall they often suffer more serious injuries," he explained. Death statistics from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) show 90% of fall fatalities in 2022 were people aged over 65. But even if you survive a serious fall, the consequences can be life changing. Daphne Hegarty, 82, broke her hip in a fall in 2020 and has never fully recovered. The Portadown pensioner was touring a castle in the Republic of Ireland when the accident happened. "My leg just went from underneath me and I fell, and where I fell it went down into a hollow so I couldn't really get up." She was taken to hospital in Waterford, but because the first Covid lockdown began shortly afterwards, she had to spend nearly six weeks there without family visitors. "I was isolated away to a ward on my own so I didn't see anyone." Having had serious heart issues since childhood, Ms Hegarty is well used to recovering from major surgery, but said that fall changed her life "completely". "It really set me back, because I used to be able – in my own time – potter around the house and do a wee bit of gardening," she said. "But whenever I broke the hip I was completely off my feet for about six months." Half a decade later, the pensioner still feels the effects. "I haven't the same movement in my leg," she explained. "I used to love to just sit on a stool and potter in the garden but now I'm restricted – I can't get down to get close." Despite the complications the fall caused, Ms Hegarty knows she must stay active. "I do exercises every day at home. Just like armchair exercises – keep bending my knees and lifting my feet up and moving my legs. "I always have done that because I always tried to keep myself limbered up." So why are fatal falls becoming more common? "To be honest, it's a complex question and we're not sure we have a really simple answer," Mr Broun admitted. But he insisted the rise cannot be explained solely by the fact people are generally living longer. "The population is aging, but the population hasn't aged by the same degree that falls have increased." Mr Broun added it is a known fact that "inequality and deprivation are linked to poor health outcomes". "People who are suffering from other health problems may in turn have worse outcomes when they fall." Mr Broun said there is also "anecdotal evidence" that Covid lockdowns may have exacerbated fall risks among vulnerable people. "They were staying in their house so they were losing some of their core strength by not exercising as much," he explained. However, he stressed the increase "isn't just a blip as a result of Covid" because fall deaths were on the rise before the pandemic. Most fatal falls happen at home, according to RoSPA. Among the measures it is campaigning for are changes to building regulations, including safer staircase designs. However, falling "doesn't have to be an inevitable part of getting older," according to Chris McKenna from Belfast Health Trust's Community Falls Prevention and Management Service. The physiotherapist runs weekly strength and balance classes for over 65s in Andersonstown - one of six such classes across Belfast. Mr McKenna said these classes "really empower" older people to keep their independence. "We tell people it's never too late to start exercising." The team also provides home visits, which Chris calls a "one-stop shop" of fall prevention. The checks include blood pressure monitoring and checking medications for side effects that could make a patient unsteady on their feet. They also assess the person's footwear, their gait and inspect their home for trip hazards. The Public Health Agency (PHA) leads fall prevention efforts in Northern Ireland. It said free home safety checks "are available for over 65s, families with children under five, and those who are vulnerable," subject to assessment and availabilty. Its website also lists 10 tips to help prevent a fall at home.
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Fatal falls in Northern Ireland more than double in a decade
The number of people who have died as the result of a fall in Northern Ireland more than doubled over a 10-year period, according to official statistics. There were 378 fatal falls in 2022, compared to 178 deaths a decade earlier in 2013. That is an increase of 113%, a rise which the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) described as "truly shocking".Its research manager, James Broun, said RoSPA is "fully expecting this trend to continue rising if we don't start seeing the right prevention measures". Mr Broun said falls "can affect all age groups" but older people are at more risk of death from a slip or trip."That's typically because they are more susceptible to falling and when they do fall they often suffer more serious injuries," he statistics from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) show 90% of fall fatalities in 2022 were people aged over 65. Fall 'really set me back' But even if you survive a serious fall, the consequences can be life changing. Daphne Hegarty, 82, broke her hip in a fall in 2020 and has never fully recovered. The Portadown pensioner was touring a castle in the Republic of Ireland when the accident happened."My leg just went from underneath me and I fell, and where I fell it went down into a hollow so I couldn't really get up."She was taken to hospital in Waterford, but because the first Covid lockdown began shortly afterwards, she had to spend nearly six weeks there without family visitors. "I was isolated away to a ward on my own so I didn't see anyone."Having had serious heart issues since childhood, Ms Hegarty is well used to recovering from major surgery, but said that fall changed her life "completely". "It really set me back, because I used to be able – in my own time – potter around the house and do a wee bit of gardening," she said. "But whenever I broke the hip I was completely off my feet for about six months."Half a decade later, the pensioner still feels the effects. "I haven't the same movement in my leg," she explained. "I used to love to just sit on a stool and potter in the garden but now I'm restricted – I can't get down to get close."Despite the complications the fall caused, Ms Hegarty knows she must stay active. "I do exercises every day at home. Just like armchair exercises – keep bending my knees and lifting my feet up and moving my legs."I always have done that because I always tried to keep myself limbered up." A legacy of lockdowns? So why are fatal falls becoming more common?"To be honest, it's a complex question and we're not sure we have a really simple answer," Mr Broun admitted. But he insisted the rise cannot be explained solely by the fact people are generally living longer. "The population is aging, but the population hasn't aged by the same degree that falls have increased."Mr Broun added it is a known fact that "inequality and deprivation are linked to poor health outcomes". "People who are suffering from other health problems may in turn have worse outcomes when they fall."Mr Broun said there is also "anecdotal evidence" that Covid lockdowns may have exacerbated fall risks among vulnerable people."They were staying in their house so they were losing some of their core strength by not exercising as much," he he stressed the increase "isn't just a blip as a result of Covid" because fall deaths were on the rise before the pandemic. Most fatal falls happen at home, according to the measures it is campaigning for are changes to building regulations, including safer staircase designs. Exercise can reduce risk of falling However, falling "doesn't have to be an inevitable part of getting older," according to Chris McKenna from Belfast Health Trust's Community Falls Prevention and Management physiotherapist runs weekly strength and balance classes for over 65s in Andersonstown - one of six such classes across McKenna said these classes "really empower" older people to keep their independence."We tell people it's never too late to start exercising."The team also provides home visits, which Chris calls a "one-stop shop" of fall checks include blood pressure monitoring and checking medications for side effects that could make a patient unsteady on their feet. They also assess the person's footwear, their gait and inspect their home for trip hazards. The Public Health Agency (PHA) leads fall prevention efforts in Northern said free home safety checks "are available for over 65s, families with children under five, and those who are vulnerable," subject to assessment and website also lists 10 tips to help prevent a fall at home.
BBC News
10-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Mirror appears at 'tricky' Nottingham pedestrian crossing
A mystery mirror has been attached to a lamppost at a busy pedestrian crossing in Nottingham. The mirror has appeared on the crossing at the junction of Lady Bay Bridge and Meadow Lane, but it is not known who added the mirror in what seems to be an attempt to improve safety for those crossing the road on local resident said he was "not surprised" that someone took it upon themselves to add the mirror, as he "takes his life into his own hands" every time he uses the crossing.A spokesperson from Nottingham City Council said it was trying to secure funding for improvements there and experts have warned against vigilante traffic control. Caitlin Taylor, road safety manager at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), said "improving road safety is vital" but changes to road infrastructure should be made through "the proper channels"."Well-meaning interventions by individuals can unintentionally create new risks," she Taylor said it was the local highways authority's job to determine safety measures and prioritise which areas were most in need of said: "RoSPA encourages anyone with safety concerns to report them directly to their local council so that expert assessments can guide the right solutions." Bernard Jarvis, 80, who volunteers as a guide for blind people, said: "You can't really see what's coming round the corner in time."You have to take your life into your own hands."It's noisy, it's polluted, and if you're on a bike it's terrifying," he said. George, a student who did not wish to give his surname, said he regularly used the crossing to go to the added that the crossing was "tricky" because "you can't really see when the cars are coming".The 21-year-old said there should be more measures put in place to make the crossing safer for pedestrians, such as "a green light to tell you when to cross the road".But he said he generally felt safe from traffic walking around Nottingham.A city council spokesperson added: "We share the view that this junction is outdated and we have been working on options to improve the pedestrian crossing facilities. "We are currently looking to secure funding to help us make these changes."
