A NEW service aiming to provide earlier detection of a painful and debilitating bone disease has started at a Torfaen hospital.
Patients aged over 50 who have suffered a fracture in a fall from a standing height will be scanned at County Hospital, Griffithstown, to determine whether they have osteoporosis.
Called First Fracture - Last Fracture, it aims to provide what Dr Syed Ayas, clinical director for rheumatology at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, calls a "one-stop shop" that prioritises patients identified as at risk.
If the disease, which thins the density of bones making them fragile, is not detected, all the better. But if it is, treatment can be started and patients made aware of the problem early, so they can better try to avoid another, potentially more serious, bone break.
An estimated three million in the UK three million people have osteoporosis, including 150,000 in Wales.
Dr Ayas said the new service enables patients to be prioritised and given rapid access to a dexa (bone) scan carried out by specialist staff. Results will be sent to the patient’s GP with suggested treatment options, and a recommendation of reassessment in three-six months by either the GP or the service's fracture liaison clinic.
If osteoporosis is diagnosed, patients will receive advice on management during the same appointment from a specialist rheumatology nurse.
"We will also be offering telephone advice line for the convenience of these patients. Also, we will be requesting treatment reviews with the help of community pharmacists,” said Dr Ayed.
“Our aim is to identify and treat osteoporosis early so the patient does not have further falls or fractures that might require a hospital stay."
Sheila Fox, chairman of the Gwent Support Group of the National Osteoporosis Society (NOS), welcomed the new service.
“First Fracture - Last Fracture means patients will receive appropriate treatment and advice sooner, but also the costs to the NHS are reduced," she said.
"This includes less people being admitted to hospital in the future with a hip fracture. This ultimately means that more hospital beds are available, a very significant factor for us all."
* To contact Gwent NOS Support Group, telephone Sheila Fox on 01495 763008 or e-mail david@elbury.freeserve.co.uk
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