Falls Response Team recognised as NHS Greater Manchester Christmas heroes

The Falls Response Team, delivered by Greater Manchester Urgent Primary Care Alliance which includes Stockport-based Mastercall, has been recognised as NHS Greater Manchester Christmas Heroes.

The award celebrates the team’s vital role in supporting people across Greater Manchester who have fallen but are not seriously injured.

Recognition also highlights the impact of the Greater Manchester Falls Lifting Response Service, which first launched in November 2024 as a winter initiative to improve outcomes for people following non-injury falls, by providing timely interventions, reduce the risk of long lies and to reduce pressure on emergency services and hospitals.

The service operates seven days a week, 8am to 8pm (including bank holidays), responding rapidly to adults who have fallen. We have a dedicated team of trained falls responders based at sites in Greater Manchester to provide coverage across the whole of Greater Manchester and timely support in people’s own homes.

By responding quickly to non-injured falls, the service helps:

• Improve response times for people who have fallen
• Reduce unnecessary ambulance call-outs
• Avoid hospital conveyance for people who may have been at risk of being on the floor
  for a long time, due to ambulance delays
• Increase referrals into appropriate community and falls prevention services
• Support admission avoidance across the system

Last winter, the Falls Response Team assisted 278 people, providing reassurance, assessment and onward support where needed. Referrals are received via North West Ambulance Service, care homes and health professionals, ensuring people receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place.

In its Christmas Eve tribute, NHS Greater Manchester said:

“They provide fast, compassionate support for people across Greater Manchester who’ve fallen, but aren’t injured. By responding quickly and preventing unnecessary ambulance call-outs, the service helps ease pressure on busy NHS teams and ensures people get the right care, at the right time, in their own homes. Thank you team, true Christmas Heroes.”

GMUPCA UEC Programme Lead and GM Falls Lead, Rachael Ingram said:

“We are immensely proud that the work of the GM Falls Lifting Response Service has been recognised in the NHS Christmas heroes awards. Since November, the team has supported over 200 people following a fall, helping them remain safely at home through timely intervention and onward referral to appropriate services. This work also delivers system-wide benefits by reducing ambulance demand and avoidable hospital conveyances linked to complications of long lies.“

Falls Responders are non-clinical staff trained to check vital signs, recognise when someone’s health may be getting worse, and pass on concerns clearly to clinical teams when needed. In most cases, individuals are safely supported at home and referred to local falls prevention services, helping reduce the risk of future falls.

This recognition reflects the dedication, compassion and professionalism of the Greater Manchester Falls Response Team during one of the busiest periods for the NHS.