Falls plans, communication and handover

Falls prevention works best when everyone caring for a person has the same information. A clear falls plan should describe the person's main risks, the level of support they need, common triggers for problems and the steps to take if their condition changes. NHS England's care-home framework says an individualised falls prevention plan should support staff and link with the person's wider care records.

Handover matters because falls risk can change between shifts. Day and night staff may observe different patterns. A person may be steadier in the morning and less steady in the evening, after medicines, after a poor night's sleep, or when urgency is worse.

What a useful falls plan should make clear

• Usual mobility: what the person can do, which aid they use and what level of support is required.
• Known triggers: urgency, low mood, rushing, poor lighting, fatigue, certain times of day, after medicines or after meals.
• Key safety items: footwear, glasses, hearing aids, call bell, sensor use if part of the plan, and room setup.
• What to escalate: new near misses, unwitnessed falls, head injury concerns, new confusion, repeated dizziness or new refusal to use an aid.
• Post-fall actions: who to call, what observations or checks the local procedure requires, and where to record the event.

Manager focus: consistent systems

A good falls plan reduces guesswork. It tells the next worker what safer care looks like for this person, on this shift.