For patients, mobility is an important part of the hospital journey. But falls remain a significant concern, particularly among older Australians. When we looked more closely at the data, we were surprised by the scale of fall-related hospitalisations and deaths.

Recent Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW):

• Falls are the leading cause of injury hospitalisations in Australia, with approximately 253,800 fall-related injury hospitalisations recorded in 2024–25.¹
• For Australians aged 65 and over, the fall-related hospitalisation rate was 3,275.3 per 100,000 in 2024–25.¹
• Same-level slips, trips and stumbles were the most common type of fall resulting in hospitalisation in 2024–25, with a rate of 297.5 hospitalisations per 100,000 people¹
• Falls were responsible for 6,400 deaths among Australians aged 65 and over in 2023–24, accounting for 95% of all fall-related deaths.¹
  
  

Patient mobility and footwear

With falls a significant concern, we looked at the role footwear can play in supporting patient mobility. Research has found that older adults adopt more cautious gait patterns when walking in standard socks, while one study comparing standard and non-slip socks found differences in walking patterns, including walking speed and step length.^2,3 

These insights led the Haines Solutions Lab to explore a practical footwear solution that could provide patients with warmth, comfort and slip-resistant grip — resulting in the development of SallySocks.

Supporting mobility with SallySocks

Designed with patient comfort and mobility in mind, SallySock Non-Slip Socks feature slip-resistant grip pads to provide traction on dry floors. Their soft, breathable construction helps keep feet warm and comfortable, while the range of six sizes — from extra-small paediatric through to bariatric — provides options to fit a wide range of patients.

Independently tested for slip resistance

We wanted to put SallySocks to the test. In 2020, the Haines Solutions Lab commissioned independent testing by the Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWTA)⁴ to assess the slip resistance of SallySocks against other socks. SallySocks achieved a Slip Resistance Value (SRV) of 95, compared with 79 for the leading competitor tested and 70 for standard socks.

These results demonstrate the slip-resistant performance of SallySocks and the grip technology incorporated into their design, giving us confidence in the practical solution we developed for patients.

Single use socks and infection prevention

SallySocks are designed for single patient use, providing a fresh pair for each patient. This approach can help avoid the need for laundering between patients and provides a simple way to manage footwear hygiene within the hospital environment.

At Haines, we’re always looking for practical ways to support patients and healthcare teams throughout the hospital journey. SallySocks bring together warmth, comfort and slip-resistant grip in a convenient single-use design, providing a practical footwear option for patients during their stay.

Click here for more information and to order SallySocks

References

¹Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Falls. AIHW, Australian Government. Accessed 26 August 2026.

²Tsai YJ and Lin SI. Gait Posture. 2013 Jan;37(1):88-92. Older adults adopted more cautious gait patterns when walking in socks than barefoot. Available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0966636212002524?via%3Dihub (Accessed February 2020) doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2012.06.034

³Anna L. Hatton et al. (2013). Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association: November 2013, Vol. 103, No. 6, pp. 471-479. Effects of Nonslip Socks on the Gait Patterns of Older People When Walking on a Slippery Surface. Available at https://www.japmaonline.org/doi/10.7547/1030471?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3dpubmed (Accessed February 2020) https://doi.org/10.7547/1030471

⁴AWTA Sock Slip Test Results 23/1/2020