First-of-its-type NHS service to improve bone health and prevent fractures
Residents in mid and south Essex will benefit from a fracture service where hospitals and GPs work together across the whole of mid and south Essex.
The new Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) aims to strengthen bones in those aged over 50, reduce fractures and free up hospital beds.
The service identifies eligible residents who have suffered a fracture and offers them checks by nurses in hospital for osteoporosis (fragile bones). Patients are then treated with bone medication or referred to services such as physiotherapy to reduce their risk of falling again.
There are 70,000 residents over the age of 50 with osteoporosis in mid and south Essex, leading to 8-10,000 fractures each year. Across the UK it is estimated that there are 3.5million living with the condition.
Angela Porter, from Southend, was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2022 after suffering from back pain caused by a fracture. She believes that a FLS would mean that more patients like her can receive the specialist treatment they need to stop further fractures, she said: “I was seen by a fracture liaison nurse at Southend Hospital, who gave me advice about my diet and lifestyle and showed me how to administer my bone medication.
“I’m grateful that we now have more specialist nurses who can help others across the area. It’s never too late to improve your bone health. Contact your local patient group for support on living with osteoporosis.”
Dr Way Main Wong, Consultant Rheumatologist at the Trust, said: “This is only the beginning for this first-of-its-kind service, it has the potential to transform bone health for our residents. By treating patients who have had fracture for osteoporosis, we’re aiming to reduce the number of people admitted to hospital with another fracture by over 20%, which will free up hospital beds for others.”