The Fracture Liaison Service systematically identifies all patients aged 50 and over presenting to Trauma and Orthopaedics both inpatients and outpatients after sustaining a fragility fracture [a fracture that happens after falling from a standing height or less.]
The service provides:
- A multifactorial bone health assessment
- Referral for bone mineral density scanning [DEXA]
- Referral to other specialist services i.e. falls, alcohol/smoking cessation
- Liaise with GPs
- Verbal/written advice regarding bone health
- Treatment recommendations
- Telephone follow up at 120 days to check compliance with treatment and offer further support and advice
Since 2014 over 8000 patients have been seen by the service. Many of these patients would not have had any attention paid to their bone health prior to the Fracture Liaison Service and would have been discharged without being offered advice, investigations and treatment. These patients would have been unaware they had osteopenia/osteoporosis increasing their risk of representing with a more serious injury in the future.
Who we are
Tracey Wharton - Service manager
Chris Divers - Fracture Liaison Nurse
Laura Barker - Fracture Liaison Nurse
Louise Harnett - Administrator 0191 5656256
Where we are based
The Fracture Clinic [Entrance 3] Sunderland Royal Hospital.
