Falls reduction programme delivers major impact for Nottinghamshire care home residents
A pioneering falls prevention initiative led by Nottinghamshire Healthcare is continuing to deliver strong results.
The new six-month data shows a 33 per cent reduction in falls-related non-elective hospital admissions and a 46 per cent decrease in falls related East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) ‘see and convey’ incidents across participating county care homes.
The programme is already demonstrating sustained impact – reducing the most serious falls, supporting residents to remain in familiar surroundings and easing pressure on urgent and emergency care services during busy periods.
At the heart of the programme is a collaborative, evidence-based approach that empowers care home staff with the skills, knowledge and confidence to prevent and manage falls effectively.
Through tailored training, ongoing support and the embedding of best practice, care homes are better equipped to respond proactively and deliver safer, more personalised care.
Alongside these improvements there has been a shift towards more appropriate, community-based care for residents who experience a fall with further targeted work underway to ensure consistent use of the most effective pathways, including Urgent Community Response services.
The continued rollout of ICS Post Falls Guidelines, developed in partnership with system colleagues, remains key to this progress, helping ensure residents receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
Becky Sutton, chief operating officer at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, said: "We are incredibly proud of the impact this programme is having for care home residents across Nottinghamshire.
"These results show what can be achieved when we work collaboratively, use data to target support, and invest in our care home workforce.
"By equipping staff with the right tools and confidence, we are improving safety, reducing avoidable hospital admissions and helping people stay in the place they call home."
Michael Ryan, head of programme, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board, said: "Behind every statistic is a resident who didn’t end up in A&E, a family member who didn’t get that frightening phone call and a care worker who felt equipped and supported to make a real difference.
"The collaborative falls reduction initiative shows that, with clinical input, connected data, and genuine partnership with care home providers, we can shift outcomes in a meaningful and lasting way.
"Fewer falls means fewer fractures, fewer hospital admissions, and above all, greater dignity and independence for residents."