GPs Overburdened, Hindering Fall Prevention for Older Adults, MPs Warn

The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee has warned that General Practitioners (GPs) in England are overwhelmed, preventing them from adequately supporting older patients at risk of falling—a significant lapse in care that NHS leaders acknowledge as unacceptable.

The committee cites a sharp rise in GP workload following the government’s move to give patients online access to services. This shift has prioritized digital access while inadvertently depriving frail older adults of crucial preventative care.

Falls remain the leading cause of injury-related deaths among people over 65, contributing to thousands of hip fractures, increasing hospital demand, and costing the UK an estimated £4.4 billion annually. Yet, in the 2024/25 fiscal year, only 17% of patients over 65 with moderate or severe frailty were screened for fall risk, and a mere 16% received medication reviews.

Under their contract, GPs are required to identify, assess, and support frail older adults, but many are currently unable to meet these obligations. “NHS England has overloaded GPs with new priorities,” the committee said.

The report emphasizes that one in three NHS regions evaluate fewer than 10% of frail over‑65s for fall risk, whereas some have managed to assess at least 90% of their patients, demonstrating that robust performance is achievable within existing resources.

Prof. Victoria Tzortziou Brown, president of the Royal College of GPs, confirmed that focusing on digital access without equal attention to continuity and proactive care risks neglecting the most vulnerable. She highlighted the increasing challenge of balancing high workloads, workforce shortages, and policy demands.

In response, NHS England is exploring the delegation of frailty-related tasks to other health professionals, such as pharmacists conducting medication reviews, to address the risks associated with polypharmacy.

Caroline Abrahams, director of Age UK, noted that despite frailty being a contractual priority within the last decade, significant improvements for older adults remain unrealized. She stressed that falls can lead to severe deterioration and place additional strain on an already overstretched NHS.

NHS England has been approached for comment but has not yet responded.

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