Alarms may be fixed to beds at Worthing Hospital and Southlands Hospital, Shoreham, in a bid to cut the number of patients falling and hurting themselves.

About 20 elderly and confused patients fall each month, sparking concern among relatives.

Now a pilot scheme has been introduced on to two wards, Courtlands at Worthing and Lark at Southlands, to try to reduce the number.

High-risk patients may have bed guards fitted while alarms which go off if a patient gets out of bed without warning will be trialled.

A spokesman for Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the hospitals, said: "The chances of an elderly person falling may rise following admission to hospital because they are often unfamiliar and confused with their surroundings.

"The Directorate of Medicine for the Elderly, which runs ten wards for elderly patients and treats more than 4,000 patients each year, is introducing a range of measures, including piloting alarms which will tell staff when a patient gets out of bed."

Clinical manager Sue Carter said: "Elderly people are prone to fall so when you put them in unfamiliar surroundings the risk may rise.

"We already carry out an assessment of each patient when they arrive and staff make a point of keeping a close eye on those at risk.

"However, we are hoping these latest initiatives will help bring down the numbers."