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• Topic Summary
• Data & Trends
• Supporting Documents

1. Re-appointing to the falls prevention co-ordinator post with a change in emphasis for this role to prioritise working in the community to link up and contribute to voluntary, health and social care sector falls prevention initiatives.
2. Awareness raising and promotion of falls services and initiatives in a way that engages older people.
3. Establishing a single point of access to falls services including self-referral.
4. Establishing a city-wide network of Staying Steady Exercise Groups based in local leisure and other community facilities.

National Audit 

The Royal College of Physicians will be continuing its three year programme of work and reporting on their findings.

The 'Staying Steady' pilot appears to have been successful in improving function and confidence

The 'Package of support for repeat fallers' appears comprehensive.

Morbidity and mortality

There is a risk that the number of people who die or are injured from a fall will increase.

Cost

Newton (op cit) cite Scuffham et al (2003) in estimating costs of £2,000-£3,000 to the NHS per person following a fall. This does not include further social care costs or the personal cost of reduced mobility, lack of confidence and poorer quality of life.

Data limitations

35-60% of people aged over 65 years are estimated to fall in one year, however, the real number is unlikely to be known precisely. Newton et al (2006) provided a valuable insight into the number of people, who fell but did not attend A&E. In their study of fallers who called an ambulance in Newcastle upon Tyne they found 11% who received support but were not transported to A&E.

Integrated services

At-risk groups

Newcastle Falls Clinical Network

NFCN comprises five clinical falls services and representatives from the ambulance service, social services and the voluntary sector. The clinical services are: