Every year around 600 people in Milton Keynes fall and injure themselves, sometimes severely.

National figures have highlighted that “Every year more than one in three (3.4 million) people over 65 suffer a fall that can cause a serious injury and even death” and that falls and fractures in people aged 65 and over account for over 4 million hospital bed days each year in England alone.

Cllr Nigel Long, Cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing said,

“Anyone can have a fall, but older people are more vulnerable and likely to fall, especially if they have a long-term health condition. Falls are a common, but often overlooked, cause of injury. Around one in three adults over 65 who live at home will have at least one fall a year, and about half of these will have more frequent falls. Most falls don’t result in serious injury. However, there’s always a risk that a fall could lead to broken bones, and it can cause the person to lose confidence, become withdrawn and feel as if they’ve lost their independence.”

Reducing falls is a priority for the Council, the local NHS and public health services. The new service will have:

• A single point of access
• A central database of people at risk of falls.
• To undertake Wellbeing assessments (Care Act requirement)
• To develop exercise provision to improve mobility and prevent falls.

Cllr Nigel Long added, “At present there is a fragmented approach to tackling falls in Milton Keynes. The new service will bring organisations together across the health, social care and voluntary sectors. The new service reflects our desire to increase the ability of older and disabled people to remain living independently in their homes.”

The funding proposed is £300,000 and comes from health and social care budgets.