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Portsmouth Older Persons Strength & Balance Exercise Team
Portsmouth Older Persons Strength & Balance Exercise Team (POPSBET)
A Community Physiotherapy Lead, Falls Prevention exercise programme serving the older (65+) population of the Portsmouth area who are registered with a Portsmouth GP practice.
We are not a self referral based service, Please speak to your GP or Health Care Professional (HCP) i.e. Physiotherapist, Nurse.
Team members are currently re-deployed because of COVID 19. Therefore new referrals are being redirected to Community Physiotherapy.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Referral criteria
Via a Health Proffesional GP / Nurse / Physiotherapist using Systm1
Full service description
What we do?
The strength and balance programme offers exercise, advice and information aimed at improving your mobility, balance and independence. The exercises can increase your confidence in your day to day activities and help prevent you from falling in the future.
Exercises range from being chair based to standing work. The focus is on improving your strength and balance. We also encourage general levels of health and make it fun in the process. We also show you how to get up from the floor if you do fall over.
Although you will be exercising as part of a group the service will be tailored to your individual goals and needs.
The classes are run by two physiotherapy associate practitioners.
How can the exercise team help you?
If you have had a fall, unsteady on your feet or afraid that you may fall over then we may be able to help you. We offer classes with various levels of ability and we aim to improve your balance, mobility and confidence.
How long do the courses run?
We run two different levels of exercise groups. You will need an assessment for us to see what class would be best for you.
One class runs once a week for 24 weeks and the other class runs twice a week for 12 weeks.
Where do we do the courses?
We are based at St Mary Community Health Campus.
The groups are run on a rolling start so as soon as a space becomes available the next person will be offered a place. Our waiting times vary between two and six weeks depending on which class you are going to.
We can provide hospital transport if eligible. Please be aware that if you use hospital transport you may be on the vehicle for an hour or so while other people are collected or dropped off.
What happens at the assessment?
The assessment can be done at your home or at the class venue. The assessment involves a chat about any falls you may have had and your relevant medical history. We will then undertake some simple balance tasks to see what level of exercise would be best for you. The whole assessment should take no longer than 40 minutes. longer than 40 minutes.
How do you get referred?
If you are already being seen by a physiotherapist then have a chat with them. Alternatively, contact your GP and ask if they would refer you for an assessment. There is no cost for attending these classes or for using hospital transport. Once you have been referred a member of the team will contact you by telephone to offer you a date and time for an assessment.
Referral method
SystmOne via a healthcare professional, we do not accept self-referrals.
Contact Information
Portsmouth Older Persons Strength & Balance Exercise Team
Block B, St Mary’s Community Campus, Milton Road, Portsmouth, PO3 6AD
Opening hours
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm