Redbridge is one of the worst boroughs in London for the number of elderly people who need hospital treatment after falls, with the number expected to rise. 

According to figures released by Public Health England (PHE), Redbridge has the fourth highest rate in London.

A total of 6,375 injuries to people aged over 80 per 100,000 population were reported between 2011 and 2012, compared to a borough average of 5,472 in London and 4,924 in England as a whole.

Redbridge also came out 11th worst for injuries caused by falls in people aged 65 or over.

Falls are the largest cause of emergency hospital admissions for older people in the UK and are a major reason for people moving from their own home to long-term nursing or residential care.

Redbridge council believe that the number of residents living with a long term condition, such as diabetes or dementia, is projected to increase, causing the number of falls to increase further also.

A council spokeswoman said: "The tendency to fall increases with age, with older people more prone to injury and complications. 

"To manage this projected increase we have developed a falls strategy and pathway for residents focusing on prevention, treatment and care as well as re-enablement and rehabilitation to restore independence after a fall."

Council services include re-enablement services after a fall, home hazard assessments and a falls prevention service hosted by Age UK Redbridge, which which co-ordinates and provides a range of preventative initiatives such as information and awareness raising, training and exercise programmes.

Redbridge Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) say they are working with community services to offer support to those at risk of a fall at home.

A spokesman said: “While the population of our borough is still generally quite young, there is a growing older people population and, as local GPs, we know they need more joined up health services to reflect their needs.

“Local GPs have been working hard with community and hospital services to set up new community treatment teams of doctors, nurses and other health professionals to offer support – for example if someone is at risk of a fall – at home so they can avoid a trip to hospital.

“We also have intensive rehab teams that help people back on their feet if they do need a trip to hospital and can make adaptations to people’s homes to prevent problems such as falls happening again.”