Falls

Falls are the largest cause of emergency hospital admissions for older people, and significantly impact on long-term outcomes, e.g. being a major precipitant of people moving from their own home to long-term nursing or residential care.[i]

The highest risk of falls is in those aged 65 and above, and it is estimated that about 30% of people (2.5 million) aged 65 and above living at home and about 50% of people aged 80 and above living at home or in residential care will experience an episode of fall at least once a year. Falls that results in injury can be very serious - approximately 1 in 20 older people living in the community experience a fracture or need hospitalisation after a fall.

 [i] Department of Health (2012), improving outcomes and supporting transparency. Part2: Summary technical specifications of public health indicators. Available at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_132358

Key findings for Lancashire

These key findings are based on data from OHID (2021/22). Where rates are given, these are per 100,000 of the 65+ population.

• Only one in three sufferers of hip fracture return to their former levels of independence, and one in three ends up leaving their own home and moving to long-term care. Hip fractures are almost as common and costly to public services as stroke. The estimated UK health and social care cost of hip fractures is £2 billion a year. Nationally, around 76% of hip fractures occur in women.[ii]
• In the Lancashire-12 area the percentage of the 65+ population predicted to have a fall is projected to increase by 33% by 2035 and the percentage of these predicted to be admitted to hospital as a result is projected to increase by 40% by 2035 (from 2020).
• In the Lancashire-12 area (1,903) the rate of emergency hospital admissions due to falls is significantly better than England (2,100) (2021/22). Blackburn with Darwen (2,161) is similar to England whilst Blackpool (1,906) is significantly better.
• At a district level South Ribble (1,375), Fylde (1,616), Preston (1,643), Wyre (1,657), Ribble Valley (1,694) and Chorley (1,848) are all significantly better than the England rate. West Lancashire (2,588) is worse than England rate.

[ii] https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg124/evidence/full-guideline-pdf-183081997

For additional county, unitary and district data and further information please see below. Please select the geography type to see what indicators are available as not all are provided across the different footprints.

If the area has defaulted to 'Counties & UAs in North East region', click on the down arrowhead next to 'Geography', select 'Region' and then 'North West'. This is an issue which is not within our control, apologies. 

 

Page updated March 2023