Key Points:
- Havering recorded a 21.5 per cent reduction in hospital admissions due to falls among people aged 65 and over during the past year.
- The local authority ranked fifth nationally in England for reducing fall-related hospital admissions in older demographics.
- Only Stoke-on-Trent, Wirral, Tower Hamlets, and Plymouth recorded larger percentage drops across the country.
- Across England, over 221,600 people aged 65 and over were admitted to hospital following a fall in 2024/25, averaging more than 600 admissions daily.
- The analysis was conducted ahead of the winter season, a period traditionally associated with a higher incidence of serious accidental falls.
Havering (East London Times) November 10, 2026 – Havering has recorded one of the largest reductions in fall-related hospital admissions among older residents in England, following a 21.5 per cent drop in emergency admissions for people aged 65 and over over the past year.
The figures, derived from Department of Health and Social Care data, position the borough as the fifth best-performing local authority area nationally for fall reduction in this demographic. Across the country, only Stoke-on-Trent, Wirral, Tower Hamlets, and Plymouth recorded larger percentage drops over the same monitoring period.
Within the Greater London region, Havering emerged as one of the top-performing local authority areas alongside Tower Hamlets and Croydon. The findings were compiled and published in the Accidental Falls Report by mobility bathroom specialist Age Care Bathrooms, which examined national statistics to assess regional variations in emergency hospital admissions prior to the winter months.
What is the national scale of fall-related hospital admissions among older people?
Despite the recorded reduction within Havering, accidental falls continue to represent a significant health challenge for older populations across England. According to the Department of Health and Social Care data published in the report, more than 221,600 individuals aged 65 and over were admitted to hospital as a result of a fall during the 2024/25 financial year.
This total corresponds to an average of more than 600 hospital admissions each day across the country. The report underscores that accidental falls remain a leading cause of emergency hospital admission and physical injury among older demographics, presenting sustained demand for National Health Service emergency departments, inpatient units, and broader adult social care services.
The report notes that the autumn and winter periods traditionally correspond with an increased risk of serious accidental falls among vulnerable populations, driven by seasonal environmental conditions and lower light levels.
Background to fall prevention and healthcare pressures in the UK
Accidental falls among older adults represent a well-documented public health priority within the National Health Service and local authority social care frameworks. Falls are the primary cause of emergency hospital admissions for older people in the United Kingdom, often resulting in hip fractures, head injuries, long-term physical impairment, or a loss of independent living capability.
Local health health systems and councils routinely employ multi-agency fall prevention strategies to reduce hospital presentation rates. These interventions typically encompass community-based balance and strength training programs, home safety assessments, medication reviews to identify drugs causing dizziness, and specialized occupational therapy services.
The broader context of NHS health management involves mitigating pressure on acute hospital capacity, particularly during winter pressure periods. Emergency admissions resulting from falls frequently lead to prolonged hospital stays and complex discharge planning, directly impacting bed availability and social care provision across local boroughs.
Predictions for how this trend will affect older residents and local services
The recorded 21.5 per cent decrease in fall-related admissions in Havering indicates a potential reduction in immediate emergency care demand originating from the borough’s older population. If sustained, lower admission rates may lessen bed occupancy pressure on local acute healthcare infrastructure and reduce the immediate requirement for post-discharge social care packages.
However, with demographic projections continuing to indicate an overall ageing population across England, the total volume of individuals at risk of accidental falls is expected to remain high. For local healthcare commissioners, public health bodies, and social care providers in Havering, maintaining decreased admission levels will depend on the continued availability and efficacy of preventative community healthcare services, preventative home adaptation schemes, and targeted winter safety measures.
