Orthopaedic Surgery - Virtual Fracture Clinic

Assessment

The information below is important please read carefully.

Fracture Clinics at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust have been redesigned in order to offer the most safe and effective way to assess your recent injury/broken bone(s) and reducing your need to attend hospitals.

Coming to a traditional Fracture Clinic in the first few days following an injury is unnecessary in many cases, as there will be no change in the treatment that has already been provided. This is also when the pain and immobility from the injury makes it more difficult to attend hospitals.

The “Virtual Fracture Clinic” is our new assessment process where your X-rays and initial assessment documentation will be electronically reviewed by an Orthopaedic Consultant within 72 hours of your attendance to one of our Emergency Departments or Urgent Care.

You do not need to attend the hospital for this assessment.

Next steps

We will review your injury and contact you BY LETTER within 7 to 10 days.

1 out of 3 patient's injuries are minor and you will be discharged via letter which will provide advice on how to manage your injury at home and expected recovery.

2 out of 3 patient's injuries will need to come for a clinic appointment. The timing of that appointment is individualised to each injury but is typically within 7 to 14 days.

Should you not need your follow-up appointment please ensure you cancel this to allow another patient to be seen.

Please speak to your Pharmacist or GP for advice regarding prescriptions and pain relief.

Further Information

Should you have concerns or have not received your letter within 7 to 10 days you can leave your message, name, date of birth and address on the Fracture Clinic Hotline and we will do our best to support you.

Telephone: 0161 778 5372

For urgent concerns outside normal working hours please contact the emergency department you attended. Non urgent concerns can be discussed with your GP.