Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalisations in Australia, with individuals aged 65+
years accounting for more than half of fall-related incidents. In 2020-2021, these incidents
represented 8.7% of all Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) attendances, most of which occurred
in the home environment and resulted in emergency department (ED) visits.

In response, the QAS Falls Co-Response Program (QAS Falls CoRe) was launched in October 2023, an
Australian-first initiative developed in partnership with Queensland Health. The program pairs
occupational therapists (or physiotherapists) with paramedics to deliver a primary response to Triple
Zero (000) calls for fall-related incidents. The 2-person crew provides on-scene assessment, liftassistance with specialised lifting devices, intervention and care planning to ensure the most
appropriate care pathway.

What began with two on-road crews in Brisbane has now expanded to eight across Queensland. In
its first two years, the program has attended over 6901 patients who called QAS following a fall
(16/10/24 – 15/10/25) with a significant proportion (45%) remaining in their homes thanks to on
scene management, effective referrals, and safety netting.

The QAS Falls CoRe program provides evidenced-based care and prioritises patient dignity and
informed decision-making, with allied health professionals and paramedics collaborating to deliver
safe, person-centred assessment in the home setting. Early analyses indicate that the program
improves patient experiences, care delivery, reduces ED demand, and enhances patient outcomes
through a tailored, community-based response model that optimises access to healthcare services
while preserving patients' independence.