Injuries caused by falls are a leading cause of hospital admission and death for those aged over 75. On average, there are over 4,000 hospital admissions in Glasgow each year due to a fall.  

Fear of falling can result in inactivity, loss of confidence and increased risk of falls in older people. It can also result in reduced social interactions leading to isolation or loneliness.

Recognising the devastating impact falls can have on people, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) staff established a Falls Governance Group in 2024. This group oversees falls related activity, practice and learning in our HSCP. 

During September every year, there’s a national ‘Falls Week’, to raise awareness of falls and all matters related. To make the most effective use of this opportunity, clinicians and staff from planning, quality improvement and communications ran a series of activities over the week.  

Lee Moody, Service Manager, Older People and Primary Care, North East Locality led the group. Lee said: “Smaller working groups planned events in our three localities, targeting both staff and the general public in order to share messages as widely as possible.”

One of the working groups developed a falls awareness script, which, with the vocal talents of the Rehab Team, was used to produce a falls awareness video. This was shared in communications throughout the week. To-date there have been over 600 views of the video.

Daily, online learning sessions ran over the week for staff. Topics included looking after your feet, medication review, fluid and nutrition, live active, live well and telecare services.

A staff member said: “I took part in all five sessions over the week and have really enjoyed finding out how to prevent falls. Well done to all who delivered each session, it’s much appreciated.”

Lee continued: “Each locality also organised an event for patients and visitors. These included networking sessions and events at Woodside Day Care Centre and Castlemilk Seniors Centre. Staff were also at the Parkhead Forge during the week talking to members of the public and handing our information.”

People attending the sessions mainly wanted to find out information for themselves about how to prevent falls and what to do if you do fall. About a third also wanted information that could assist other people such as friends or family members.

Overall, evaluation of the various events shows that 22,056 people, both staff and public, have been in contact with some aspect of the Falls Week. These contacts were through information stalls, video recordings, emails, social media and events.  

Anne Mitchell, our HSCP’s Head of Older People & Primary Care Services, South Locality said: “This was a truly impressive piece of work that will be used to shape and inform future events.”

More information on Falls Prevention is available on NHS inform.

To get involved with our HSCP’s Falls Prevention work please email Ggc.Glasgowcityhscpfallsgroup@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.