THOUSANDS of falls could be prevented in North Yorkshire each year, saving almost £10m for the NHS.

New research by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), found almost 200,000 falls could be prevented across England, saving lives and saving £275 for the NHS.

In North Yorkshire and Humber, 6,668 falls could be prevented, saving the NHS £9,748,984.

The research was the product of a new web tool developed for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), which uses health data to identify how many people are at risk of a fall in every area across England, then works out how many could be avoided through improved access to physio-led prevention services.

Professor Karen Middleton, CSP chief executive, said: "Falls are not an inevitable part of the ageing process – they are often avoidable and investing in services can prevent these potentially devastating accidents.

"Physiotherapists deliver services that develop strength and balance, educate people about risk factors and provide essential information on what to do if they do suffer a fall. Too many lives are being ruined by unnecessary falls despite specialist support being available that could prevent them and save huge sums for the NHS at the same time."

The tool showed that of the 200,000 falls that physiotherapy could prevent, 25,000 would have led to a fracture, care home admission or even death, and that for every £1 spent on physiotherapy, the NHS would get back £1.50 through savings across the falls pathway.

The CSP has also produced a new leaflet, entitled Your Generation, which provides advice to older people on how to stay active and prevent falls.

The leaflet is free and can be downloaded at csp.org.uk/yourgeneration