The key attributes and experience of the Falls Ambassador Programme

Background: Managing falls for care home residents is a key priority and a collaborative approach to learning about falls management may be helpful. The falls ambassador programme delivered by Lincolnshire Care Association aimed to provide this. This research explored the key attributes and learning experience of care home staff participating in the falls ambassador programme. Methods Non-participant observations, interviews and focus groups with care home staff participating in the programme were undertaken to explore the learning from the programme. Researcher field notes were maintained from the observations. Interview and focus groups were digital recorded and transcribed. The interviews and observation field notes were analysed thematically using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) theoretical framework. Results: Observations were completed over three workshops, and 8 care home staff took part in an interview or focus group. Themes within the CFIR domains of innovation, outer setting inner setting and process were identified. Key attributes included being delivered by a trusted source, having online and faceto- face opportunities and including a range of staff across care homes. Conclusions The programme increased learning across care homes in Lincolnshire providing a supportive forum to share challenges and experience. Further work to develop the programme to include the wider health and social care system would be beneficial.