Fracture Liaison Service

The Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) closes the care gap for fracture patients by successfully and cost-effectively case-finding patients over 50 with fragility fractures who are at risk of osteoporosis.  Over three million people in the UK have osteoporosis and these people are at a substantially increased risk of fragility fractures.

The FLS is located at Bridge House (Britannia Road) and opening hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.

Who is affected:

• 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men over 50 will break a bone as a result of poor bone health
• 1 in 5 women who break a bone, break 3 or more bones before diagnosis (NOS)
• The prevalence of osteoporosis increases dramatically with age

The service has been designed to identify and assess those who have suffered a low trauma or fragility fracture, with a view to preventing further fractures, reducing the costs to the NHS, and improving health outcomes for a rapidly ageing population.

This clinically proven and cost-effective service identifies patients through:

• Outpatient fractures
• Inpatient fractures
• Inpatient hip fractures
• New spinal fractures identified on radiology reports
• GP referrals

Patients at risk of osteoporosis are assessed, and if appropriate referred for bone density scans (DXA scan) and/or to commence treatment.  Results are discussed with the patient, as well as treatment plans and lifestyle advice, and the patient’s GP will be contacted to commence treatment where required.  The risk of additional falls is addressed with the patient, as are lifestyle and diet, and referrals are made where necessary to the Falls Service and / or Dietician.

From a patient perspective, the aim is to avoid further fractures and maximize the opportunity for prevention of hip fractures.  Hip fractures can be life-changing:

• 50% will have had a previous fracture
• 50% of previously independent become partly dependent
• 20% receiving long term care in first year
• 1 in 12 die within the first month
• 18-33% die within 12 months

Early assessment will lead to improved outcomes in terms of improved quality of life, health and well-being.  Finding out more about risk factors can also be helpful, as some of these can be addressed by the patient, such as such as not smoking or drinking excessive alcohol and having a healthy body weight.

The Fracture Liaison Service are available to help if you have any queries. Please find the names and contacts of the team below.