Risk assessments are processes of identifying risks that exist or may appear. Risk assessments define and assess hazards that are likely to cause harm to service users and/or staff. This allows services to comply with CQC regulation 12: Safe Care and treatment. This regulation states “Providers must assess the risks to people’s health and safety during any care or treatment ”, “Providers must make sure that the premises and any equipment used is safe”  and “CQC understands that there may be inherent risks in carrying out care and treatment, and we will not consider it to be unsafe if providers can demonstrate that they have taken all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of people using their services and to manage risks that may arise during care and treatment.”

This risk assessment is for risks to health from falls. Anyone can have a fall, but older people are more vulnerable and likely to fall, especially if they have a long-term health condition. Around 1 in 3 adults over 65 and half of people over 80 will have at least one fall a year.