Almost £1 billion has been spent on ambulance calls for falls over the past four years, figures have revealed.

Data from ambulance trusts shows almost 4 million call-out calls were made between January 2020 and September 2023.

Vicky Mudd, clinical director at Access Health Support and Care (HSC), said: “These statistics show the huge pressure being placed on emergency services and it is important that we take the time to explain to people the steps they can take themselves, and the support which is available, to enjoy independence and a better quality of life for longer.

“Activity – at whatever level is suitable for an individual – should be encouraged particularly if it allows people to keep in touch with friends and family and avoid becoming isolated.”

The majority of the calls are anticipated to be made by older or frail people who are unsteady on their feet.

One of the leading reasons for falls is muscle weakness caused by inactivity. 

Evidence suggests skeletal muscle mass and skeletal muscle strength decline in a linear fashion, with up to 50% of mass being lost by the 8^th decade.

Falls are the number one reason older people are taken to an emergency department and the most common cause of injury-related deaths in people aged over 75. In around 5% of cases, a fall leads to a fracture.

The total annual cost of fragility fractures to the UK has been estimated at £4.4 billion which includes £1.1 billion for social care; hip fractures account for around £2 billion of this sum.

Mudd added: “Thanks to technology, there are many ways we can enable people to continue to embrace life, knowing help is always at hand if it is needed. It can be the way we support loved ones to continue to do the things we enjoy and the things we need to do.

“Real-time data, sensors to enable trend analysis and location mapping of an individual, are all features that technology can deliver now to give individuals the confidence to be independent, knowing that help is at hand if needed.”