What to do after a fall

After a fall, the immediate priority is the person's safety. Stay calm, get help, follow the local post-fall procedure, and do not try to lift the person upright until you have considered pain, possible injury and the likely cause of the fall.

NICE advises that people should be given clear instructions on what to do if they fall, including how to get up and when to seek help. NHS England's care-home framework expects local policies on assessing and managing falls, moving a person from the floor, using mechanical aids, and when to call for extra support or emergency services. NHS inform warns that attempting to get up when hurt can make injuries worse.

Practical post-fall basics for care staff

• Do not rush the lift: a sudden pull from the arms or under the shoulders can worsen injuries.
• Check before moving: consider pain, bleeding, deformity, level of consciousness and whether the person can follow instructions.
• Use the local protocol: follow the agreed process for observations, checks, escalation and documentation.
• Use approved equipment and methods only: use lifting cushions, hoists or other aids only if you are trained and authorised to do so.
• Call for help when needed: suspected injury, unexplained collapse, head injury concerns, severe pain or inability to get up safely require prompt escalation.
• Think about the cause: once the person is safe, review the event to reduce the risk of a repeat fall.

If the person cannot get up and local procedure says to wait for extra support, keep them warm, reassure them and stay with them unless you must leave briefly to fetch urgent help. If they can move safely without increasing pain, gentle movement may help comfort while waiting, but never push through pain or bypass the procedure.

Manager focus: post-fall systems

After a fall, slow down enough to be safe. Checking for injury before moving someone is part of good care, not unnecessary delay.