The Falls Prevention Awareness working group is led by Jason O'Callaghan from Age UK Oxfordshire, and involves the Falls Prevention Service, Exercise on Referral, and Active Oxfordshire.

Each year, there are over 3,000 emergency hospital admissions for falls in people aged 65+ in Oxfordshire. In 2020/21, there were 3,232 ambulance callouts for people who had fallen and needed to be picked up from the floor, and 39% of these were then taken to hospital.

Injury from falls and being at risk of falls impacts many residents across Oxfordshire, and there are services available across the county to support residents in preventing falls.

The falls prevention awareness campaign aims to highlight the services which are available to residents, and to bring this information together for healthcare professionals and others who may refer or signpost people to support, and to create clear guidelines. The aim is to make access to information easier for healthcare professionals and to support them in referring patients to physical activity with confidence.

The campaign also strives to raise awareness of the critical role which being active can have in preventing falls and supporting those who have fallen in their recovery, advocating for physical activity as a means of prescribing.

As we get older, our risk of falls increases, though this does not mean falls are inevitable. Many falls are preventable, and preventative measures can be taken to reduce the risk of falling. There is plenty of evidence showing that being active creates stronger and healthier adults, leading to a reduction of the risk or falls, and can in turn relieve the stress and pressures on emergency health services.

If you would also like to be involved in the working group, email Jason: jasonocallaghan@ageukoxfordshire.org.uk

The working group has identified a gap in the services and offers available to disabled adults and adults with learning disabilities who are at risk of falls. If you are aware of services available for those residents in Oxfordshire which we can bring more awareness to, please get in touch with Jason.