Recurring concern
Unreliable fall-mat safety controls
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Request correctionFirst reported 15 Dec 2014•Latest report 3 Jun 2025
What this concern includes
Includes failures of dedicated fall-mat systems, including crash mats, sensor mats and comparable bedside fall mats, where provision, suitability, coverage, positioning, wireless activation, alerting or associated operating instructions do not reliably support falls prevention or detection.
Not included
- Excludes general falls-risk assessment, supervision, staffing or post-fall response failures where no fall-mat control is deficient.
- Excludes pressure-relief mats, pressure mats used for purposes other than falls detection, mattresses and other equipment unless the assertion specifically concerns a fall-mat system.
- Excludes generic wireless, WiFi, alarm or equipment failures not directly tied to the safe operation of fall mats.
- Excludes the underlying occurrence of a fall where no failure of a dedicated fall-mat control is identified.
- Reports
- 14
- Individual concerns
- 18
- Date range
- 2014–2025
- Stated actions
- 20
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
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Concerns raised2
Unsuitability of wireless WiFi activation when several fall mats are in proximity
Unreliability of Rambledguard fall mats for their intended purpose
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Wi-Fi is not involved in the fall mats’ processes and therefore cannot cause delays or cross-talk with other devices.
Stated by Department of Health and Social Care
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Concerns raised1
Failure to use available movement-alert and fall-prevention equipment
This report raised 10 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to place fall sensor mats on a hard floor
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Review team practice for issuing sensor-mat advice and training, confirming it is consistent and accurate.
Stated by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Develop and send care-home guidance outlining good practice in using sensor mats for borough-wide circulation.
Stated by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
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Position
The team’s standard guidance did not recommend placing sensor mats on crash mats; the care home appears to have misinterpreted it.
Stated by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
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Position
Unable to describe measures implemented after 1 March 2017 because it will no longer manage the Home.
Stated by Sunrise Senior Living Limited
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Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure crash mats and sensor mats are provided on both sides of the bed
This report raised 11 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Communicate the rule requiring crash mats and sensor pads on both sides of beds for residents at risk of falling, subject to risk-assessed exceptions.
Stated by Sunrise Senior Living UK
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Universal sensor and crash mats are unnecessary because fall-risk assessment determines when mats and sensors are required on both sides.
Stated by Sunrise Senior Living UK
Data last updated 7 September 2026