Virtual Fracture Clinic

Why am I being referred to the Virtual Fracture Clinic?

This page is for those who have attended UCLH with a bone, joint, or muscle injury, (often called an orthopaedic injury).

When patients do not need to be admitted to hospital after this type of injury, they are usually referred to be seen in a fracture clinic.

Coming back to hospital for this appointment can be difficult for some patients due to:

• Pain
• Reduced mobility
• Commitments such as school, work or childcare.

For others, the appointment is not needed as they can manage their injury at home with simple advice.

Sometimes, patients come to the appointment and then need to be referred to a specialist for further opinion, or they may need another service such as physiotherapy or nursing rather than being seen by a doctor.

The UCLH Virtual Fracture Clinic (VFC) service has been introduced to provide safe and effective follow up care to patients who attend our Emergency Department with orthopaedic injuries.

Once you have been assessed and treated in the Emergency Department, the staff will refer you to the virtual fracture clinic so that the appropriate management plan can be made as soon as possible.

You will be asked to provide contact details including a telephone number and an email address (if you have one).

Please make sure you can be contacted on the number you provide.

You will not need to physically attend the hospital for the virtual fracture clinic appointment.

What is the Virtual Fracture Clinic?

In the Virtual Fracture Clinic, your case will be assessed by a specialist consultant-led orthopaedic (bone specialist) trauma team within 3 days of referral (Monday to Friday). The team includes an Orthopaedic Consultant, or middle grade trainee, an experienced orthopaedic physiotherapist and a member of the fracture clinic appointment booking team.

Firstly, your referral and any imaging (x-ray/scan) performed when you attended the Emergency Department will be reviewed by the doctor and physiotherapist.

Once the management plan has been made, you will be contacted via telephone within 1 day (Monday – Friday) by one of the virtual fracture clinic team. They will advise you on what will happen next.

Sometimes the virtual fracture clinic needs more information to decide how your injury will be managed. If this is needed, it may take a day or two longer to hear from someone.

If you have not received a telephone call within one week from when you were referred, please contact the fracture clinic department using the details in this page.

If you are under 16 years old, we will need to speak to your parent/guardian as well as you.

The Virtual Fracture Clinic team will also:

• Arrange the appointment, if you need to attend hospital for follow up care or require specialist review.
• Organise any further x-rays or scans required so that the orthopaedic surgeon has the necessary information when you are next seen.
• Make referrals for physiotherapy or nursing follow up if needed.

PLEASE NOTE: The fracture clinic team may need to leave a voicemail message on your phone.

If you do not wish for messages to be left on your phone, please inform the Emergency Department before you leave the hospital.

Contact details

Hospital Switchboard: 020 3456 7890
Direct line: 020 3456 2064 (fracture clinic)
Fax Number: 020 3447 9958
Email: uclh.fractureclinic@nhs.net

Address: Virtual Fracture Clinic, Trauma & Orthopaedics Department Surgical Specialties Division, Ground Floor Central, 250 Euston Road London, NW1 2PG

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is a service that offers support, information and assistance to patients, relatives and visitors. They can also provide help and advice if you have a concern or complaint that staff have not been able to resolve for you. The PALS office is located at Ground Floor Atrium, 235 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BU. Staff will be happy to direct you.

Telephone: 020 3447 3042

Email: uclh.pals@nhs.net