First reported 20 Nov 2013•Latest report 11 Mar 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes mobility assessment and provision or availability of required mobility aids and assistance during care.
Not included
General falls assessment with no identified mobility need
Equipment maintenance unrelated to an individual mobility requirement
Transport between healthcare sites
Reports
14
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
15
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2013–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
14
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.
NHS England2
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust2
Abbey Dale House1
Brunswick Ward at Lindridge1
Care Quality Commission1
City of Doncaster Council1
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust1
Court Nursing Home1
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust1
HCRG Care Group1
Lancashire County Council1
Lodge Care Home1
New Cross Hospital1
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust1
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust1
NHS trust8
Nursing home3
English metropolitan district council2
Executive non-departmental public body2
Healthcare site2
English county council1
Health and social care service regulator1
Multi-service care provider1
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.
North Yorkshire and York
Concerns raised1
Inconsistent provision of assessed mobility aids during hospital admissions
Responses linked to these concerns
Each 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
Action
Deliver and disseminate a Learning from Falls briefing on walking-aid provision, including discussion with Falls Champions.
Stated by York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 12 March 2026.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Ward-level walking-aid stocks and access on each ward are relied on to manage mobility needs without transferring aids between wards.
Stated by York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Failure of discharge-safety assessment processes to accurately assess patient mobility
Responses linked to these concerns
Each 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.3
Position
There was no discrepancy between the discharge referral information and the patient’s function at discharge, so mobility was not unrealistically represented.
Stated by Stockport NHS Foundation TrustDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
Existing discharge planning, equipment provision and continuing mobility reviews were considered appropriate and sufficient under usual practice.
Stated by Stockport NHS Foundation TrustExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
The discharge information accurately reflected the patient’s function, and the discharge was appropriately planned within usual expectations.
Stated by Stockport NHS Foundation TrustDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
South Yorkshire (Eastern)
Concerns raised1
Failure to escalate falls for further assessment of safe home mobility
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each 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.3
Action
Reinforce escalation of concerns through appropriate referrals to professionals who can assess risks and recommend protective measures.
Stated by City of Doncaster CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 20 February 2025.
Action
Establish the Home First Forum to inform domiciliary care providers about referral routes for concerns.
Stated by City of Doncaster CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 20 February 2025.
Action
Hold further Home First Forum events quarterly to maintain referral guidance for domiciliary care providers.
Stated by City of Doncaster CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 20 February 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Relevant professionals, rather than social care staff, must assess risks and recommend or order aids and equipment.
Stated by City of Doncaster CouncilRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
A single fall would not ordinarily require a referral unless carers considered referral to be in the person’s best interests.
Stated by City of Doncaster CouncilDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
East Sussex
Concerns raised1
Failure to provide regular mobilisation assistance
This report raised 8 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each 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
Action
Provide Saturday physiotherapy assessments for new fractured-neck-of-femur patients.
Stated by East Sussex Healthcare NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 15 May 2024.
Action
Increase physical therapy capacity by employing two full-time Physical Therapist Assistants.
Stated by East Sussex Healthcare NHS TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 15 May 2024.
Sefton, St Helens and Knowsley
Concerns raised1
Failure to meet the mobility needs of a resident with evolving dementia
This report raised 8 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised1
Inadequate supply of mobility aids in the emergency department
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each 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.4
Action
Ensure emergency departments in regional hospitals have access to an adequate supply of mobility aids.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 28 June 2021.
Action
Increase emergency-department mobility-aid stock to 12 immediately available zimmer frames.
Stated by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 June 2021.
Action
Request procurement of 10 additional zimmer frames for the emergency department.
Stated by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 June 2021.
Action
Standardise and implement a cross-site process for stocking, procuring, storing, labelling, providing and documenting mobility aids for patients assessed as needing them.
Stated by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 June 2021.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
The Trust’s local response adequately addresses mobility-aid supply and procurement concerns, so no further national response is proposed.
Stated by NHS EnglandExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Responsibility for procuring additional mobility aids rests with the emergency department team, as needs are identified.
Stated by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Nottinghamshire
Concerns raised1
Failure to recognise changing health and mobility needs
This report raised 7 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
County Durham and Darlington
Concerns raised1
Failure to provide sufficient walking aids for vulnerable patients on hospital wards
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 concerns
Each 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
Action
Maintain buffer stocks of walking aids in hospitals for emergency out-of-hours use.
Stated by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation TrustStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 8 February 2020.
Black Country
Concerns raised1
Minimal exercise and mobility regime
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Avon
Concerns raised1
Failure to incorporate patients' mobility into assessment of well-being
Responses linked to these concerns
Each 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
Position
A national mobility-score field on NEWS2 is not preferred; comprehensive specialty-tailored assessment and review alongside NEWS2 is considered better.
Stated by NHS EnglandDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.