Care homes across Lancashire and South Cumbria have recorded a significant reduction in falls after adopting AI‑enabled smart lighting technology, according to a new large‑scale evaluation involving almost 80 care homes.
The independent assessment found that falls were reduced by around 32%, alongside faster staff response times and fewer emergency call‑outs, after care homes introduced Nobi’s AI‑powered smart lights. The technology was installed across approximately 800 rooms in residential and nursing care settings, supporting older residents at risk of falls.
The evaluation also showed that average response times to incidents fell from more than 11 minutes to under three minutes, helping to reduce the likelihood of long lies and serious injury. Ambulance call‑outs from participating care homes decreased by around 23%, with fewer residents requiring conveyance to hospital.
The programme was delivered across Lancashire and South Cumbria as part of a coordinated digital care initiative, with outcomes assessed using real‑world data from care homes, ambulance services and frontline staff feedback.
Dr Andy Knox, Medical Director at NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB said: “Falls are one of the biggest reasons for hospital admissions in our region so it was crucial that we explored new forms of technology and how it could be harnessed to predict and prevent falls.
“We are extremely pleased with how well the Nobi smart lights have worked, by not only ensuring residents who have fallen are responded to quickly, but by also communicating with care staff in telling them how the fall occurred which in turn has helped prevent future falls.
“Prevention is key to reducing falls and the information that Nobi has been able to supply to staff has resulted in changes being made to the environment which is why this technology has been so significant in keeping people safe.”
Alongside reducing falls, the evaluation highlights the growing role of preventative technologies in easing pressure on stretched care services, enabling staff to prioritise direct care while maintaining oversight across busy environments.
Roeland Pelgrims, CEO of Nobi, said, “This evaluation demonstrates what’s possible when care services are supported by technology designed specifically for prevention. Falls are not inevitable, and by detecting risk early and enabling faster responses, care teams can make a meaningful difference to residents’ safety and wellbeing. We’re proud to see this evidence emerging at scale and hope it encourages wider adoption across the sector.”
The findings also suggest potential cost savings for care providers and the wider health and care system, driven by fewer emergency responses and hospital transfers, while improving quality of life for residents and reducing avoidable disruption for care teams.
The evaluation adds to a growing body of evidence showing how data‑driven, preventative technology can support safer, more sustainable care in residential settings.
