Pensioners in Hammersmith and Fulham and Ealing are at a significantly higher risk of injuries due to falls than elsewhere in England.

People aged 65 and over living in the two west London boroughs are in the top 10 council areas for the highest rates of emergency hospital admissions due to falls.

In Hammersmith and Fulham there were 3,082 admissions per 100,000 in the 2012 to 2013 financial year and in Ealing there were 2,923 per 100,000, according to data published by NHS Choices to assess how the NHS, public health and social care are working together to try to prevent falls.

Hounslow was not far behind, with 2,522 admissions per 100,000, putting it in the top 25 areas in England for pensioner injuries from falls.

All three council areas’ admissions rates were statistically much higher than in comparable councils, suggesting poorer levels of support for older people in the area.

Where are pensioners more likely to incur injuries from falls?

Council England standing Number of pensioner admissions from falls per 100,000
Hammersmith and Fulham 6 3,082
Ealing 8 2,923
Hounslow 21 2,522
Hillingdon 34 2,376
Westminster 46 2,296
Brent 47 2,286
Kensington and Chelsea 48 2,273
Harrow 68 2,104

NHS Choices said falls are the largest cause of emergency hospital admissions for older people, and significantly impact on long term outcomes, such as prompting people to move from their own home to long-term nursing or residential care.

The figures are based on the age-standardised rate of emergency admissions for injuries due to falls for people aged 65 and over. NHS Choices compares this rate for each council to other councils with a similar level of socio-economic deprivation to identify those who do better or worse in comparison to those similar councils.