Falls prevention: access and acceptability to all?

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the equalities’ dimension of falls prevention services in light of the Equality Act 2010 and its protected characteristics. Research and policy are discussed in light of the Act and public services’ duties to be aware of their responsibilities.

Design/methodology/approach

An initial research review was undertaken in 2012 and updated in 2016.

Findings

The research on falls prevention services does not always collect data on users of the service and services do not always collect data about their users that would enable them to build a picture of their users in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Practical implications

Services and commissioners will need to be able to show that the services funded by the public purse are accessible, acceptable and appropriate to the UK’s increasingly diverse older population. This paper describes some of the existing resources and research papers that contain elements of attention to the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010.

Originality/value

This is an update on a research review undertaken in 2012.

Citation

Manthorpe, J. and Moriarty, J. (2017), "Falls prevention: access and acceptability to all?", Working with Older People, Vol. 21 No. 2, pp. 72-81. https://doi.org/10.1108/WWOP-10-2016-0029