Falls Prevention Economic Model (UK)

Posted September 16, 2016

I found this this morning, following the #bgsconf on Twitter:



The falls prevention economic model shows in detail how much money could be saved and falls prevented if everyone 65+ identified as at risk of falling was referred to physiotherapy.



It brings together data comes from high-quality sources including the Cochrane Collaboration and the Office for National Statistics.



All falls counted in the model are serious as they result in patients coming to A&E. These falls are then classified as minor, moderate or major:



Physiotherapy and falls prevention: potential savings



Choose a location to see the potential falls reductions and cost savings.



When you've seen the potential savings from physiotherapy above, download the full falls prevention economic model to access the detailed evidence.



There is a substantial body of evidence demonstrating that physiotherapy and tailored physical exercise programmes reduce the risk and rate of falls in older adults (aged 65+).



Download the infographic to share on your networks



Across the UK every year 280,000 people end up in A&E after a fall, costing the NHS £1.6 billion

If everyone 65+ at risk of falling was referred to physiotherapy 160,000 falls would be prevented, saving the NHS £250 million every year

Every £1 spent on physiotherapy produces a return on investment of over £4.00

Physiotherapy saves money and helps older people to enjoy an active life



Moderate falls require some follow up treatment in primary care



Major falls are falls that result in a hospital admission. These cost an average of £5,000 each time



One important outcome not captured in this model is that physiotherapy will turn some major falls into minor falls.



Those at risk of falling can be simply identified through a number of conventional tests, such as the ‘Timed Up and Go’ (TUAG) test.