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The purpose of the study is to assess the usability and acceptability of FallCheck, a Web app that allows users to complete home-hazard assessments within their own home, with a group of people at risk of falling and their carers.

This mixed method study used an online survey followed by semi-structured telephone interviews to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. A Think-Aloud study was used to test usability of the Web app through structured tasks.

Findings showed that FallCheck was easy to use with few usability issues. The Web app was deemed appropriate to use by people at risk of falling (young or old) or by carers if appropriate. The depth of knowledge provision and breadth of content was acceptable, and many participants reported subsequently making changes to their home environment to reduce their risk of falling. Overall, the majority of participants reported feelings of improved confidence and safety with an increased awareness of fall risks and a reduction in fear of falling at home.

FallCheck has good acceptability and usability with people at risk of falling and their carers and has the potential to improve access to home-hazard assessment and affect behavioural change regarding fall risk hazards and behaviour.

This study describes successful use of an app that may be helpful in identifying home-hazards and making changes to reduce risk of falls, particularly in the absence of occupational therapy intervention and has the potential for integration into falls care pathways.

This viewpoint paper provides an overview of lessons learnt throughout the whole cycle of development to exploitation of digital solutions in health and wellbeing settings. This paper aims to address learnings that can be applied to all digital health technologies, including assistive technologies, apps, wearables, medical devices and serious games.

Based on the knowledge and experiences of working within a multidisciplinary team, the authors discuss lessons learnt through research and consultancy projects in digital health and translate these into pragmatic suggestions and recommendations.

Firstly, the importance of collaborating and co-creating with multidisciplinary stakeholders and end users throughout the whole project lifecycle is emphasised. Secondly, digital health solutions are not a means to an end, nor a panacea; decisions should be evidence-based and needs-driven. Thirdly, whenever possible, research designs and tools need to be more adaptive and personalised. Fourthly, the use of a mixed-method system approach and continuous evaluation throughout the project’s lifecycle is recommended to build up the evidence base. Fifthly, to ensure successful exploitation and implementation, a business case and timely bottom-up approach is recommended. Finally, to prevent research waste, it is our shared responsibility to collaborate with existing consortia and create an awareness of existing solutions and approaches.

In conclusion, collaborating in the field of digital health offered insights into how to be more purposeful and effective in development, evaluation and exploitation of digital health solutions. Moving this diverse and dynamic field forward is challenging but will contribute to greater long-term impact on society.

The aim of this review is to explore recent literature regarding the development of fall detector technology as part of a service evaluation on the use of fall detectors across the region funded by NHS West Midlands. It also aims to explore the application and the use of products designed to detect falls and alert for help from end‐user and health and social care staff perspectives.

A comprehensive review of the literature of the last ten years was conducted, search terms were used to identify relevant literature from research databases and the main themes from the literature were summarised. This work was carried out to inform a service evaluation of the use of fall detectors across the West Midlands region and was funded by NHS West Midlands.

It was found that whilst there are a wide variety of new technologies regarding fall detectors in development, the range of technologies currently available through health and social services to users are limited. Health and social care staff appear to be less convinced of the benefits of fall detectors than end‐users. There was also a lack of robust evidence regarding different approaches to technology in the management and detection of falls. Users had mixed views regarding the use of fall detectors, with some people having concerns about privacy, lack of human contact, user‐friendliness and appropriate training, whilst others clearly identified the benefits of detecting falls and raising an alert. The implications of these findings for practice are discussed.

This paper will be of value to those working in falls services, telecare or industry partners developing fall detector technology.