§ Earl Howeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What guidance has been issued to primary care trusts by the Department of Health on the essential features of a fully integrated falls and osteoporosis service. [HL2780]
§ Lord WarnerThe national service framework for older people set out a service model detailing the essential features of an integrated falls service; this included appropriate links to osteoporosis.
Two evidence-based supporting documents have been published: How can we help older people not fall again? Implementing the older people's NSF falls standard—Support for commissioning good falls services; of September 2003, and Making the case for investing in falls and fractures prevention—A workbook of ideas, of February 2004. Copies are available in the Library. Cascaded training of their use was offered to all local health and social care communities.
The Department of Health asked the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to develop separate but linked clinical guidelines on the prevention of falls and the prevention of osteoporosis. These are due for publication in September 2004 and 2005 respectively.
Other national actions have included developing and sharing practice through the National Falls Collaborative and Healthy Communities Collaborative on falls, and continuing to work closely with and supporting publications through Help the Aged's Slips and Trips campaign, at http://www.helptheaged.org.uk/adviceinfo/_slips+ and+trips+for+practitioners.htm.