GP contract quality outcomes framework negotiations break down

Discussions between the British Medical Association (BMA) and NHS Employers on the new GP contract and Quality Outcomes Framework have broken down on the issue of extended GP’s working hours. The result is that osteoporosis, hotly tipped to be included, will now not appear in a new contract. Read more on the BMA website

Fall Stop!

The findings from a new literature review commissioned by Help the Aged and written by Sam Nyman (University of Southampton) and Claire Ballinger (London South Bank University) explores how the recent recommendations made by ProFaNE may be implemented in everyday practice with older people. 

Download the summary or the full report 

National Clinical Audit on Falls and Bone Health

The Royal College of Physicians report released in November delivered a poor picture of the care and prevention of falls. 

The audit found that 80 per cent of people with hip fractures spent over 2 hours in A&E before transfer to a suitable ward, in contrast to accepted best practice and that three months after sustaining a hip fracture, only a fifth were on appropriate treatment for osteoporosis. 

Read more on the RCP website

National Hip Fracture Database and Blue Book on fragility fractures launched

• The British Orthopaedic Association and the British Geriatrics Society have launched the new web-based National Hip Fracture Database. Hospitals can register to record, compare and improve their managements of hip fractures.
• The new Blue Book on fragility fractures aims to summarise current best practice in the care and prevention of fragility fractures. It offers guidance, standards of care and feedback on care and outcomens. Visit their website to learn more.

New Report: Evaluation of Standards of Care for Osteoporosis and Falls in Primary Care

This new report undertakes the first evaluation of osteoporosis and falls standards in the UK.

It shows that achievements are high in terms of prescribing appropriate medication for those with osteoporosis, but also identifies problems with coding, referral and recording. Find out more

Policy Statements

Two new policy statements from Help the Aged have been published on Preventing Falls (PDF,156k) and Osteoporosis (PDF,122k). They highlight the importance of addressing these issues for healthy ageing.

Join our dangerous pavements campaign

Help the Aged is encouraging older people to identify dangerous pavements in their area which could put them at risk of falling. Visit www.helptheaged.org.uk/fallsday or order postcards by emailing falls@helptheaged.org.uk 

NOS calls for NICE rethink

The National Osteoporosis Society is calling on NICE to rethink its latest appraisal of osteoporosis treatments, which will mean that up to 1 in 4 patients will be denied treatment on the NHS and put at risk of breaking bones unnecessarily. To add your voice to the petition visit www.nos.org.uk

WHO Global report on falls prevention

The World Health Organisation will be issuing a global report on falls prevention. This will include international and regional perspectives and evidence-based recommendations. 

The report is based on background papers prepared by internationally recognised experts.

AGS and BGS clinical guidelines

Both the American Geriatrics Society and the British Geriatrics Society are revisiting their clinical guidelines on falls prevention.  We will be watching closely and letting you know when they are published.

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National Coalition for Active Ageing

The National Coalition for Active Ageing aims to promote physical activity among older people of all ages, interests and abilities.

The flyer for the National Coalition for Active Ageing is available to download on the Help the Aged policy website

For any queries please email the Falls team

Working with BME groups

Our three year MEEFP (Minority Ethnic Elders Falls Prevention) programme is now complete.  Two reports are available detailing the projects and the lessons they learnt and a number of resources are available in a variety of languages. Visit the MEEFP page to find out more