Multiple long-term conditions: falls risk assessment

Indicator

The percentage of patients (aged 65 years and over) with moderate or severe frailty who have been asked whether they have had a fall, about the total number of falls and about the type of falls, in the last 12 months.

Introduction

Falls in older people are a costly and often preventable health issue. Reducing falls and associated injuries is important for maintaining health and wellbeing amongst older people (see Public Health England’s Falls: applying all our health). Falling has an impact on quality of life, health and healthcare costs.  People 65 years and over have the highest risk of falling. A history of falls in the past year is a risk factor for falls and is a predictor of further falls. This indicator is intended to identify and minimise any risks relating to falls.

Resource impact

The resource impact of the proposed indicator is unlikely to be significant. It is expected that asking about falls in the last 12 months can be carried out in existing consultations and is not expected to lead to any additional costs.