A pioneering falls prevention pilot in Greater Manchester has found that identifying older people who may be at risk of falling and offering support early can help improve confidence, strength and independence. The eFalls pilot, launched in Wigan in February 2025, used routine NHS data to identify more than 1,100 people aged 65 and over who were considered at increased risk of falling within the following year. Those identified were contacted through their GP practice and invited to take part in a health check. They were then offered support to help reduce their risk of falling.
Helping people stay active and independent
Almost eight in 10 people offered support chose to take part, with many going on to attend local strength and balance classes through the Falls Management Exercise (FaME) programme.
The evaluation found that taking part offered benefits beyond improving balance.
Participants reported feeling:
- Stronger when getting up from a chair and walking outside
- More confident about going out alone
- Less worried about falling
- More able to enjoy being active again
Some participants also reported sleeping better and feeling brighter as a result of becoming more active.
Making support accessible
The pilot highlighted the importance of how people are approached about falls prevention. Being contacted through their GP practice helped people feel reassured, as they were being approached by a healthcare service they already knew and trusted. Offering activities locally, in familiar community settings, also helped make it easier for people to take part and enjoy the programme. The findings show how technology and routinely collected NHS data could be used alongside the knowledge of local health professionals to identify people who may benefit from support before they experience a fall. Falls are not an inevitable part of ageing
Falls are not an inevitable part of ageing
The findings come ahead of Falls Prevention Awareness Week, 21–25 September, which this year focuses on the theme “From Awareness to Action.” Falls are a common concern for older people, with around one in three people aged 65 and over experiencing at least one fall each year. A fall can lead to serious injury and hospital admission, but it can also affect a person’s confidence and independence. Maintaining physical activity and improving strength and balance can play an important role in reducing the risk of falls. The message from the campaign is that falls should not simply be accepted as a normal part of getting older, and there are steps people can take to help reduce their risk.
Bringing health and community services together
Dr Nikesh Vallabh, GP and Clinical Director for the SWAN Primary Care Network, said the pilot showed the importance of identifying people at risk and offering support before a fall happens. He highlighted the positive impact participants reported on their confidence, strength and everyday lives. Professor Chris Todd, Professor of Primary Care and Community Health at The University of Manchester, also highlighted the challenge of identifying and reaching people who could benefit from strength and balance exercise. He said the eFalls pilot provided important learning about how routinely collected health data could help identify people earlier and connect them with support within their communities.
What was the eFalls pilot?
The eFalls pilot was the first time this technology had been used outside research settings at the Universities of Leeds and Birmingham. The pilot was delivered by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, working with NHS Greater Manchester, SWAN Primary Care Network and academic partners. Information already held in GP records was used to identify people who may be at increased risk of falling. This included information about previous falls, frailty, medication and long-term health conditions. More than 1,100 people aged 65 and over were identified through the pilot and offered support. The learning from the pilot will now help inform future work around falls prevention and healthy ageing across Greater Manchester, with the aim of helping more people stay active, confident and independent for longer.