A new NHS Confederation report has called for a more joined-up strategy, driven at the local rather than national level, is needed to cut falls by the elderly.
Warning that prevention needs to become a key priority as the elderly population grows, the group says not enough is being done to stop people falling again after an initial incident.
Jo Webber, representing ambulance services in the NHS Confederation, said: "Half the people in this country over 80 will suffer a fall this year.
"Falls are not only physically debilitating but, particularly for older people, they really knock their confidence and can slow recovery.
"We have to take the opportunity of the NHS reforms to get organisations across health, social care and local authorities working together.
"Effective falls services that are already up and running across the country show that for little initial investment, patients are getting better care, more falls are being prevented and money is being saved."
The NHS Confederation, a group that represents NHS managers in England, believes that government policies for the last 20 years have not been entirely successful, with many patients experiencing disjointed care.
They recommend that local government, the NHS and social care services work more closely together and suggest using a patient's NHS number as a way for tracking and assessment.
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