Giving staff the time, space and support to learn together: Falls Learning Conference 2025

Falls remain a leading cause of injury, loss of independence, and hospital admission among older adults in Lothian. Great progress has been made over the last two years across all areas to support a reduction of falls but the data around falls with harm shows there are still opportunities to improve.

Feedback from staff who work in falls prevention also highlighted a need for greater awareness and understanding of the newly developed Falls Framework, as well as the need for more opportunities to connect and collaborate with colleagues across services and sectors to share learning and ensure consistent, joined-up approaches to falls prevention.Thanks to the generosity of NHS Lothian Charity supporters, the teams involved in Falls Prevention were able to host a dedicated Falls Learning Conference bringing together staff, partners and researchers working in falls prevention across Lothian and address the gaps identified. The event created a focused, accessible event to strengthen shared understanding, spread effective practice, and build the relationships needed to increase staff learning and improve patient outcomes across the region.

Strengthening skills, relationships and shared understanding

The conference created a rare opportunity for staff to step away from busy clinical and community settings and focus on learning, reflection and collaboration.

Around 70 staff and partners attended, representing community teams, inpatient services, Health and Social Care Partnerships, leisure providers, the third sector, the Scottish Ambulance Service and NHS Lothian volunteers.

For many, it was the first time they had the opportunity to hear about:

Research projects and evidence shaping falls prevention
Innovative work happening in other parts of Lothian
Community and leisure services available to support patients after discharge

One attendee shared:

It was amazing to hear about all the research and workstreams going on in relation to falls that I just wasn’t aware of.”

Another highlighted the value of simply being together:

Meeting up with colleagues old and new enabled closer working relationships and ideas for how we can improve care together.”

And reflecting the wider impact of shared learning across the region, one participant added:

Hearing what others are progressing in Lothian is very helpful and supports shared learning for falls prevention.”

How this benefits patients and families

When staff feel supported, confident and connected, the benefits quickly reach patients and families.

Learning from the conference is being shared across teams and embedded into everyday practice, helping staff to:

Spot falls risks earlier
Provide more consistent information and advice
Signpost patients and carers to the right community support

This leads to safer care, fewer falls and more people supported to live independently for longer.