Hundreds of people across Greater Manchester received urgent help from the NHS Falls Pick-Up Service this winter, which in turn prevented hospital admissions and reduced pressure on emergency services.
The scheme ran from November 2024 – March 2025, supporting the winter period. It was available to anyone over 18 who had fallen at home, wasn’t injured but couldn’t stand up on their own.
Working with Greater Manchester Urgent Primary Care Alliance, this unique service helped 278 people get back on their feet.
When a 999 call was made, trained operators assessed whether a Falls Pick-Up Responder, rather than an ambulance, would be the most appropriate support. If the person needed urgent medical attention, the responder would call for emergency support.
By responding quickly and preventing unnecessary ambulance callouts, the service helped ease pressure on busy NHS teams. Ensuring people got the right care, at the right time, in their own homes.
Care and advice
The Falls Pick-Up team did more than just help people stand up, they provided care and reassurance. Every visit included:
- Safe assistance – to help the person up without causing further harm.
- A wellbeing check – to make sure they’re feeling okay.
- Help calling a family member, friend, or carer if needed.
- A quick home check to spot any trip hazards like loose rugs or poor lighting.
- Advice on next steps, whether that’s a visit to their GP, a falls prevention service, or a home safety assessment.
By acting fast, the team prevented people from spending long periods on the floor, which can lead to dehydration, pressure sores, hypothermia, and other serious health risks.
Helped at home
Paul was helped by the service after a fall at home. His wife, Frances, said:
“I don’t know what I would have done without them. They arrived so quickly, reassured us and got Paul back on his feet safely. It was a huge relief.”
Making a real difference
This winter service has helped free up ambulances for life threatening emergencies, which meant people who needed urgent medical help weren’t waiting for longer than necessary.
The service also reduced the number of ambulances called out for non-injured falls. It reduced unnecessary hospital visits, keeping beds free for those who need them most.
Resulting in sped up response times and making sure people were not left waiting for help.
Due to its success, the service was also expanded to support care homes, healthcare professionals and carers who were with someone who had fallen at home.
Read more about preventing a fall
