A WIRRAL hospital carried out a tea and coffee experiment to raise awareness for Falls Prevention Awareness Week.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital recently conducted a ‘Taste the Difference’ challenge, revealing that 62% of participants could not distinguish between decaffeinated and caffeinated tea and coffee.

A further 90% expressed willingness to switch to decaf after learning about its benefits.

Organised by the hospital’s corporate nursing team, the event invited staff, visitors, and patients to test their taste buds and explore the advantages of decaffeinated beverages.

The challenge aimed to raise awareness about caffeine’s potential role in increasing the risk of falls, especially among elderly patients.

The trust is aiming to raise awareness about falls prevention and injury prevention throughout Falls Prevention Week which runs from September 23-27.

Caffeine, commonly found in tea and coffee, can irritate the bladder, leading to urgency and frequent trips to the toilet. This urgency is a known factor in increasing the risk of falls, a significant concern for patient safety, WUTH said.

By promoting decaffeinated options, the hospital aims to mitigate this risk and enhance overall health.

Jenny Burke, a lead falls nurse at the trust said: “We are thrilled with the engagement and positive feedback from our ‘Taste the Difference Challenge.

“The results highlight a simple yet impactful approach to improving patient safety and wellbeing.”