A Simple Innovation with Big Impact for Older Adults
By Trainor Jim Ltd
Falls are a widespread and costly challenge for the NHS—estimated at over £2.3 billion per year, leading to more than four million bed days and 70,000 hip fractures annually, often resulting in loss of independence.
That’s why the recent NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme (NHSCEP) news on The Shuffler launch is such welcome progress. After successful trials in homes, care settings, and community centres, a lightweight, user-friendly exercise device is now entering real-world pathways—not just as an innovation, but as a bridge to independence.
What Makes The Shuffler Stand Out
- Inclusive by Design: Developed by disabled innovator Lee Trainor and NHS GP/Musculoskeletal specialist Dr. Jim Kelly (also a Clinical Entrepreneur), the Shuffler is UK-patented and purpose-built for anyone who finds conventional exercise difficult or painful.
- Medicine Meets Prevention: Intended as a preventative healthcare tool, it allows safe, seated movement from a chair or bedside, making mobility accessible to those recovering from surgery, stroke, or chronic illness.
- Grounded in Collaboration: Co-designed with users, carers, and NHS partners, the Shuffler reflects real needs and real-life feasibility, shaped by hundreds of hours of testing.
- Scalable in Real-World Settings: Launched across three prominent locations in summer 2025—Graham Care’s Hawkinge House, Anchor Group’s The Landings, and Romney Marsh Community Hub—it’s making its way into local care communities with direct user benefit.
Why This Matters for NHSCEP and Beyond
The NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme exists to turn frontline innovation into real-world solutions. The Shuffler is exactly that—a simple concept, launching now, with tangible impact on mobility, fall prevention, and quality of life.
If you want to explore how this aligns with your work or could be introduced in your locality, here’s the full story:
Read more about the launch via NHSCEP → Launch of simple device to build leg strength in the elderly – reducing frailty and preventing falls