The Prevention and Management of Falls in the Community: A Framework for Action for Scotland 2014/15

About the Framework for Action

The aim of the Framework for Action is two fold:

1. To support a more consistent approach to falls prevention and management and in doing so improve experiences and outcomes for older people, their families and carers.

2. To accelerate the pace of implementing local integrated falls and fragility fracture pathways.

The Framework builds on the model presented in the Up and About resource, and focuses on falls prevention and management and fracture prevention for older people living in the community. It is underpinned by evidence from research and draws on knowledge and experience gained by the falls prevention community in Scotland, and elsewhere, over the last four years.

The Framework identifies and describes key actions for health and social care services at each of the four stages of the pathway. These actions represent the minimum standard of care an older person should expect to receive, regardless of where and when they present to statutory services. At points throughout the pathway, statutory services will work with third and independent sector partners to deliver the actions described. Accordingly, the Framework is relevant to all partners involved in the falls and fracture prevention and management pathway. To achieve the best experience and outcomes for older people it is essential that all stakeholders work in partnership to deliver a joined up, co-ordinated and integrated pathway.

This minimum standard is a first step for 2014-16, with the intention of improving the quality of care provided in areas which have a less developed falls pathway. The Framework represents 'core business' in falls prevention and management and covers many, but not all, recommendations from clinical guidelines. Some partnership areas have already exceeded this standard in some parts of the pathway.

A significant section of the Framework focuses on screening and assessment. This is because we need to identify people who may benefit from support, and then provide individualised care. However, assessment and screening will not prevent falls in the absence of safe, effective and person-centred support and interventions. Action 4.6 focuses on evidence-based interventions.

This multiagency Framework must be taken forward with service users and their carers. Effective falls prevention and management can only be achieved through a partnership between the person, their families and carers and those delivering services. Respecting individual's needs, values, goals and choices is central to this.

Together with the Scottish Standards for Care for Hip Fracture and updated Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guidance on osteoporosis (both due for publication late 2014), the Framework addresses falls and fracture prevention and management at the different stages of a person's journey of care.