FaME Ireland Conference Brings Clinicians, Researchers and Community Partners Together at Nano Nagle Place
Last Friday marked a significant occasion for the Discipline of Physiotherapy as the FaME Ireland Conference on Falls Management and Exercise for Older Adults took place at the historic Nano Nagle Place. Organised by Senior Lecturer Dr. Ruth McCullagh, the event brought together clinicians, researchers and community partners from across the country for a day of shared learning, discussion and collaboration in the area of falls prevention and support healthy ageing.
Over 55 delegates attended the event in person, with a further 20 participants joining online, creating a vibrant and engaged audience for the day’s programme. Attendees represented a diverse range of disciplines and sectors, reflecting the collaborative effort required to advance best practice in falls prevention.
We were especially delighted to welcome keynote speaker Professor Dawn A. Skelton, Professor of Ageing and Health at Glasgow Caledonian University and an international leader in exercise and falls prevention. Prof. Skelton is an exercise physiologist and has over 30 years of research experience in falls prevention. She is a co-author of the World Falls Guidelines and developed the Falls Management Exercise (Fame) programme. Other noted guest speakers from the UK included Professor Liz Orton and Claire Shroufi. Their contributions, along with those of the other participants and organisers shaped a rich and dynamic programme.
FaME Ireland is a two-year Health Research Board (HRB)- Health Service Executive supported project focused on implementing evidence-based strength and balance programmes to reduce falls and support healthy ageing in Ireland. More information is available at www.ucc.ie/en/fameireland