HUNDREDS of patients are receiving effective care for suspected broken bones while making fewer trips to Colchester Hospital following the introduction of a virtual fracture clinic.

The clinic gives consultants the chance to review the notes, histories and x-rays of any patient coming to Colchester Hospital’s emergency department, Clacton’s minor injuries unit or Harwich’s urgent treatment centre with a suspected fracture within just 24 hours of their visit.

They can then decide whether to discharge the patient if no further action is needed, or arrange for them to come in for a follow up appointment.

Every month, the clinic manages about 670 referrals and discharges more than 200 patients who need no further treatment, which prevents them from having to come back to hospital unnecessarily to be discharged face-to-face.

This means more clinic slots are also being freed up for those who do need additional treatment, such as surgery, a plaster cast or onward referral to their GP or a physiotherapist.

Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Mr Mahbub Alam, who set up the clinic alongside nursing staff, the plaster room team and admin colleagues, said: “The virtual fracture clinic is a brilliant example of successful team working which is making a real difference to our patients.

“Previously, patients going to ED with a fracture would automatically be invited back to the orthopaedic clinic several days later. This was very inconvenient for patients who need no further treatment, as it meant they would have to make an unnecessary trip to hospital just to be discharged.

“In addition, the virtual clinic means that every patient’s notes and x-rays are reviewed by a consultant within 24 hours of their injury. We feel this provides a gold standard of service and additional safety, as every x-ray is double checked by a senior member of staff to ensure nothing has been missed."