Older people injured after minor falls are losing independence due to inadequate hospital care, audit finds

Only 6pc of over-65s were received by a trauma team at the emergency department, compared with 15pc of younger people. Photo: Stock image

Eilish O'Regan

Falls in the home are the major cause of injury among older people but they are not getting the level of care they should in hospital emergency departments, leading to a loss of independence and risk of going in to a nursing home, a new audit reveals today.

Falls of less than two metres can cause serious injury and be life-changing for pensioners but they are underrated by staff.