Quality standard

This quality standard covers prevention of falls and assessment after a fall in older people (aged 65 and over) who are living in the community or staying in hospital. It describes high-quality care in priority areas for improvement.

In January 2017, this quality standard was updated. Three new statements on preventing falls were added. For more information see update information.

How to use NICE quality standards and how we develop them

Quality standards help you improve the quality of care you provide or commission. They apply in England and Wales (see the UK government website and Welsh government website). Decisions on how they apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland are made by ministers in the Scottish government and Northern Ireland Executive.

Find out how to use quality standards and how we develop them. 

Endorsing bodies

This quality standard is endorsed by NHS England and Department of Health and Social Care as required by the Health and Social Care Act (2012).

Supporting organisations

A number of organisations recognise the benefit of this quality standard in improving care. They work with us to promote it to commissioners and service providers: