A new virtual fracture clinic launched at North Mid aims to improve patient experience and boost efficiency.  

Patients with an injury or suspected bone fracture who visit the emergency department or minor injuries unit can now be referred directly to the virtual fracture clinic.  

This means that, after having a scan at the hospital, those deemed suitable for the virtual clinic will no longer have to come back in for a consultation. Instead, a consultant will review their scan remotely, alongside their medical history. 

Patients will then receive their treatment plan via a letter and/or phone call within 72 hours of their scan, enabling faster and more efficient care.  

The virtual fracture clinic team get in touch with patients to let them know whether they need to come into hospital for a face-to-face appointment, attend physiotherapy or how they can manage their recovery in the comfort of their own home.  

The virtual clinic means patients will be reducing the number of journeys they make into hospital.  

The new initiative also aims to improve waiting times for both patients seen virtually and those needing to visit the face-to-face clinic.  

Hosain Hadi, Darzi fellow and orthopaedic registrar at North Mid, said: “The in-person clinic can be very busy and has seen over 100 people attend in the morning alone.  

“With the virtual fracture clinic, most of these patients will be saving journeys into the hospital and those that do come in will have been assessed virtually prior to attending. Waiting times will be reduced and fewer face-to-face visits will be needed.”