The Prevention and Management of Falls in the Community: A Framework for Action for Scotland 2014/2015

The Framework for Action

The Framework for Action 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. The Framework is underpinned by evidence from research and draws on knowledge and experience gained by the falls prevention community in Scotland over the last four years. It 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 services. The Framework provides a road map for developing or enhancing a falls pathway.

Scotland is a rich source of examples of successful implementation of the majority of these actions. A number of these examples will be available on the Falls and Bone Health Community pages on the Knowledge Network (http://www.knowledge.scot.nhs.uk/fallsandbonehealth.aspx currently under further development).

Development of the Framework for Action

The Framework for Action was developed as part of the National Falls Programme by the National Programme Manager in partnership with CH(C)P Falls Leads representing all partnership areas in Scotland and other key stakeholders. It is informed by recommendations and evidence from current published guidance and research and the tacit knowledge of health and social care professionals with subject matter knowledge and experience.

Assessing where you are

A self assessment tool will be available to enable partnerships to identify the extent to which recommended practices to prevent and manage falls and prevent fragility fractures are embedded in their systems of care for older people. This information can be used to identify progress and potential areas for further improvement.