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Abstract
The National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People was launched In England In the Spring of 2001. It sets out national standards and guidelines and with an increasingly ageing population Is welcomed as a way forward to improving the care of older people across the health and social care spectrum. In Wales, work is underway In developing an `Older persons' strategy', which Is expected to reflect the main principles of the NSF. The NSF Is underpinned by eight standards which are Identified as priority Issues. This article focuses on standard six: the prevention, treatment and management of falls. The Implications and opportunities for health promotion that may arise from the standard are considered, In particular with reference to the development of an integrated falls service.
The National Service Framework (NSF) sets out national standards and guidelines for the care of older people (Department of Health (DoH), 2001). Initially, the NSF was launched in England in April 2001. In its NHS Plan, the National Assembly for Wales (NafW, 2001a) committed itself to:
`Establishing an expert group to prepare a strategic framework for the care and support of older people.'
As a result, a steering group has been established to develop an `Older persons' strategy' for Wales which will be delivered in the summer of 2002 and is expected to incorporate the main principles of the NSF. The Assembly has voiced its commitment to putting the healthcare needs of the elderly population in Wales clearly on the agenda. The NHS Plan (NAM, 2001a) and the Health and Wellbeing Strategy (NafW, 2001b) outline the key areas for action when focusing on elderly care provision (Table 1).
In the light of these proposals, throughout Wales, as in the rest of the UK, there is increasing anticipation as to the implications, challenges and opportunities the NSF presents, not least in the specialist area of health promotion.
The aim of this article is to outline the main principles of the NSF and to conduct a detailed review of the falls standard (standard 6), with reference to the literature. The implications and opportunities for health promotion that may arise from this standard will be considered.
SETTING THE SCENE
The UK is an ageing society. Twenty per cent...