A new report, published by Age UK and the National Osteoporosis Society, says that thousands of hospital admissions for falls and fractures among older people could be prevented by better, more integrated care. Almost 90,000 hospital admissions a year are currently caused by falls and fractures – primarily in older people.
However, the report warns that, if significant improvements are not made to prevention services, admissions will double and the NHS and Local Authorities will need to spend £6 billion a year on hip fractures by 2036.
The report, Breaking Through: Building Better Falls and Fractures Services in England, commissioned by Care Services Minister, Paul Burstow, looks at how the NHS can improve care and reduce falls. This would improve the lives of many older people and save the NHS money, which could be diverted into other essential services.
It recommends that:
• Local GPs and hospitals must work together with local authorities to put in place better care programmes for older people who suffer from falls and fractures.
• Local health leads should run health campaigns on how people can look after their bone health and prevent falls themselves.
• Local health leads should offer financial incentives to improve care.
• A national database should be set up to monitor non-hip fractures.
Paul Burstow said: “Action to prevent trips and falls is critical to turning the rising tide of hospital admissions and costs. We also know that the best practice in treating fractures can make a huge difference to a person’s recovery both physically and in terms of self confidence. Both prevention and treatment are at their most effective when social care and the NHS work together. Integrated care can go a long way to improve services for older people.
“The Coalition Government is putting in place the legal conditions and financial incentives to drive greater integration. I look forward to continuing to work with AgeUK and the National Osteoporosis Society to make progress on reducing falls and improving the care of people affected by them.”
Michelle Mitchell, charity director general of Age UK, commented: “It is extremely worrying then that in many areas of the country, people are not receiving all the care, treatment and support they need to help them back to recovery and prevent further falls from happening in the future.
“In addition to the pain and distress caused to the individual, there is an economic impact too; we have seen a 32% increase in the number of bed days attributed to falls from 1998/09 to 2008/2009. We know that by investing in specialist services that help older people to avoid falling and breaking bones we can save the health service money.”
