Page 19 - Big Book of Accident Prevention

Case study 4: Falls 19 prevention services “The reduction in falls in the area has resulted in a saving of approximately £3million. Our outcomes have been a fall in the number of hip fractures. Falls prevention services 120 Given the increase in the numbers of older people 100 Indicator 2.24: Falls and injuries in the over-65s / 4.14: Hip fractures in the over-65s 80 we would have been happy with a flatline position Falls prevention services tackle falls in older people, particularly in areas where there is a concentration of over-65s, Unintentional (accidental) injury rate per 1,000 population 60 Home – but costs have gone down. Also, the quality of Road focusing on preventative strategies that assess and address risks in the home using simple pieces of equipment and 40 Leisure life improvements are immeasurable.” improving physical stability through exercise. 20 Source: Falls prevention manager, Joint Accident Prevention Strategy 0 Age Groups for Dudley 2009–12 0 - 4 5 - 9 10 - 14 15 - 19 20 - 24 25 - 29 30 - 34 35 - 39 40 - 44 45 - 49 50 - 54 55 - 59 60 - 64 65 - 69 70 - 74 75 - 79 80 - 84 85+ Evidence Plan/resource/partner Delivery Evaluation Falls are a major concern among older people, Falls prevention services work with a range of partners The Dudley Falls Prevention Service is an example Since the introduction of the Dudley Falls Service with the health and social care costs of a hip to identify at-risk members of the community. Referrals of successful delivery: in 2003, there has been a 38% reduction in fracture estimated at £20,000. can be made by GPs, hospital staff, social care the number of over-65s attending A&E as result professionals, Age Concern, as well as direct referrals Each person referred to the service is visited at home of a fall and a 4% reduction in fractures of the neck A person’s home environment can contribute to from older people themselves. and all possible causes of falls are investigated, or femur. the risk of falling. including environmental falls risks such as tripping The structure of the service is flexible but can include and clutter. Accidents place a heavy burden on public health a manager, postural stability programme co-ordinator, expenditure. Older people visiting A&E as a result falls advisers, a handyperson and an administrative By reducing the common risk factors and by of home accidents are more likely to be admitted assistant. providing appropriate equipment, falls can be than any other age group. Once patients return reduced by between 10 and 40 per cent. home, they often need extra health and social RoSPA has been actively involved in developing falls care support. prevention strategies and delivers accredited falls prevention training. In 13 years, the number of over-60s needing inpatient care for falls-related injuries has more Figure 14 – UK A&E attendances of over-65s to double in 25 years than doubled, standing at more than 357,000 in Projection 2008 – 2033 2010–11 in NHS hospitals in England alone. 400,000 With an ageing population, and an emphasis on 350,000 enabling older people to live as independently 300,000 as possible, falls (especially in the home) are an Number of Attendances Per Year issue that cannot be ignored. 250,000 Figure 13 – Age profile of hospital admissions after 200,000 a fall 2010/11 150,000 100,000 50,000 Age 0–14 10% 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85+ Age 15–59 15% Age Groups Age 60–74 10% Source: RoSPA / AWISS / Government’s Actuary Department Age75+ 65% 2033 2008 Source: NHS Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents