Falls service saves £120k in seven weeks

Of the 73 patients referred to the Falls Partnership Service in the north of Derbyshire during its first seven weeks, 42 (66 per cent) did not have to go to hospital.

And the savings made from the reduction in avoidable hospital admissions equals 24 per cent of the expected annual running costs of the service, which is funded by NHS Hardwick and North Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).

Dr Ben Milton, Chair of NHS North Derbyshire CCG, added: “The falls partnership service is a shining example of health services working together smartly to provide first-class community care while achieving important efficiencies in these economically challenging times.

“Not only does the service provide rapid home treatment, it also reduces the risk of future falls by advising patients and their carers on making changes around the house. In fact, every patient seen so far has had a home environment assessment carried out.”

The service is currently operational in North East Derbyshire and Chesterfield and will be rolled out across the rest of north Derbyshire this year. It operates from 6.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Saturday.