It's a bit mad, but Salford has the sixth highest rate for falls admissions to hospital in England for residents aged 65 and over. Between 2017 and 2019, 1,154 Salford residents were admitted to hospital having sustained injuries due to a fall, which is equivalent to 3,182 admissions per 100,000 residents aged 65 and over.
Figures also show that Salford has the highest number of hospital admissions in Greater Manchester due to falls in both males and females in the age range 65-79, and the highest in males aged 80 or over and the second highest in females after Wigan.
A new report from Salford City Council and Salford NHS CCG states that "falls are the most common cause of death from injury in adults aged 65+.years", while Public Health England estimates that that around one third of people aged over 65, and half of those aged over 80 experience a fall each year.
"The impact of a fall cannot be underestimated and whilst many falls may never need medical treatment, and may not therefore be reported by the individual, the psychological effects can be significant, with people choosing to restrict their daily activities and social life because they don't feel confident with their balance and may become risk averse especially with regard to physical activity" the Council report adds "This can lead to ongoing deterioration in motivation and loss of strength and balance which are vital to personal autonomy, functional independence and quality of life."
The Council commissions Salford Community Leisure to run a 24 week Postural Stability course (90minutes per week) and an 'ongoing maintenance programme' to improve elderly people's 'balance, strength, stamina, functional capacity and wellbeing'. Last year, there were 326 referrals, 168 people 'actively engaged with service', while 196 clients completed the 24 weeks of activity.
After the courses, 74% of attendees stated that they had a 'reduction in fear of falling', while the Council report adds that "The evidence highlights that these services provide an effective method for both primary and secondary prevention of falls and non-vertebral fractures in older people."
Indeed, the Council has just re-commissioned Salford Community Leisure to run the Postural Stability Service for a further year, at a total cost of £181,600 (Staff costs £77,440; Non-staff costs £114,290, Overheads £9,586 – less contributions from service users who pay towards transport costs £19,717)
The report states that the average cost of a non elective admission in Trauma and Orthopaedic specialty is £4,859... "So for the Enhanced Postural Stability Service to break even it would need to avoid 37 admissions each year." And the number of falls fell by 74 last year.
However, Salford still has the sixth highest rate for falls admissions to hospital in England and the highest in Greater Manchester. What is going on? Is Salford on a slope or something?
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