Decision details

The Improving Strength & Balance for Falls Prevention programme was created to meet the ambitions for the Sandwell Council Vision 2030 and Public Health programmes #StrongerSandwell and #MoveMoreSandwell. With the aim to work in partnership to increase physical activity levels and opportunities in the borough as well as to build on Sandwell’s strengths through local focus.

The programme plan includes a robust referral pathway that supports residents to access other resources and services including via Healthy Sandwell (our lifestyle services), mental health & wellbeing activities, Healthy Ageing UNITY app, clinical reablement services such as iCARES etc.

1.1 That approval is given to procure and award a contract to the successful bidder of the Sandwell Improving Strength and Balance for Falls Prevention Programme aimed at older adults aged 50 years and above. The programme would start on the 19th July 2024 for a period of 2 years (with the option to extend for a further 1 year). The service will include delivery of specialist assessment and physical activity sessions within the community or at home aimed at improving strength and balance, improving mobility and to reduce the risk of injurious falls. By connecting residents to regular activity sessions, the programme also aims to combat the negative impact of social isolation and loneliness for this cohort;

1.2 That approval be given to allocate finance under the Public Health budget, of £80,000 per year (exclusive of VAT). Total budget would be £240,000 (exclusive of VAT) if the full 2 + 1 years are utilised;

1.3 That the approval be given to enter into and execute, under seal as may be required, any contracts or ancillary documentation in relation to the award of contract referred to in recommendation 1.1 above;

1.4 That approval be given to implement necessary variations to the Contract up to a maximum of 10% of the Contract value, should they be necessitated;

1.5 That approval from the appropriate officer is sought to authorise an exemption to rule 8.11 of the Procurement and Contract Procedure Rules 2022 to allow a contract to be awarded to a successful tenderer in the event that the required minimum number of tenders are not received.

Investing in this type of specialist prevention programme is a cost-effective way of ensuring eligible older adults are able to improve their strength and balance, stay independent for longer and potentially stay injurious falls free

If the Council does not re-commission the Improving Strength and Balance for Falls Prevention programme, this could impact the speciality of falls prevention services as this is the only type of service currently commissioned by Sandwell Council and the potential adverse impact on the health & wellbeing of older people. There is a potential risk in increased number of injurious falls and the impact this can have on an older person including decreased mobility, longer hospital stays following injurious falls, risk of further falls and increased isolation. The lack of a speciality programme designed for older adults / falls primary prevention could also mean a decrease in strength and issues with balance if Sandwell residents are unable to access a regular and specifically designed programme for improving their strength & balance.

Consideration has been given to stop the Improving Strength and Balance for Falls Prevention programme because of other falls prevention services offered through the NHS (Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Hospitals Trust). This is not considered as a viable option at this time as the NHS programme focuses primarily on frailty and older adults who have been hospitalised because of a fall. Therefore, the target audience and aim of this programme differs to this proposal because it is reactive in nature and is not used as a means to prevent the injurious falls happening in the first place, and associated more closely with discharge from hospital.