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Responses > Provision of Vestibular Assessment and Rehabilitation

Freedom of Information request Provision of Vestibular Assessment and Rehabilitation

Response published: 26 March 2025

FOI Request

I would like to make a Freedom of Information request regarding the provision of vestibular assessment and rehabilitation by your Trust's Falls Prevention Service (or equivalent). World Guidelines for Falls Prevention and Management for Older Adults: A Global Initiative published in September 2022 (see below link) recommend routinely asking about dizziness and undertaking follow up assessment to identify causes, including vestibular. They reference the high incidence of BPPV and vestibular dysfunction in those presenting with falls and suggest managing vestibular issues should be considered as part of a multifactorial approach. World Guidelines for Falls Prevention and Management for Older Adults: A Global Initiative | British Geriatrics Society (bgs.org.uk) The request therefore has 3 specific questions: 1. Does your falls prevention team (or equivalent) have staff trained to assess and treat vestibular dysfunction? 2. If so, from which profession(s)? 3. Do you have any plans to develop this part of your falls prevention service?

FOI Response

Freedom of Information Request – Ref: FOI 390-2025

Thank you for your recent Freedom of Information request. Please find our response below.

You asked:

1. Does your falls prevention team (or equivalent) have staff trained to assess and treat vestibular dysfunction?

Our response:

Yes

You asked:

2. If so, from which profession(s)?

Our response:

Physiotherapists

You asked:

3. Do you have any plans to develop this part of your falls prevention service?

Our response:

No

Next steps:

Should you have any queries in relation to our response, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you are unhappy with the response you have received in relation to your request and wish to ask us to review our response, you should write to:

Louise Moss
Head of Legal Services / Associate Director of Corporate Governance
c/o Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
Edward Jenner Court
1010 Pioneer Avenue
Gloucester Business Park
Brockworth, GL3 4AW
E-mail: louise.moss@ghc.nhs.uk

If you are not content with the outcome of any review, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for further advice/guidance. Generally, the ICO will not consider your case unless you have exhausted your enquiries with the Trust which should include considering the use of the Trust’s formal complaints procedure. The ICO can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.