VIRTUAL clinics will cut waiting times and make it easier for those with broken bones to manage their injuries at home, according to health officials.

In line with other health trusts in the UK, the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust will soon launch virtual fracture clinics.

A spokeswoman for the trust said that the initiative would help to cut clinic waiting times by ensuring some patients did not need to return to hospital.

Currently, those suffering suspected fractures attend emergency care for an x-ray and initial treatment, returning the following day to the fracture clinic for further assessment to see if they need specialist treatment or can be discharged.

Under the new system, some patients will be sent home with information leaflets and advice before receiving a telephone call after the orthopaedic team has reviewed their scans. The patient will then be advised as to whether they need to return to the hospital for further treatment or manage the injury at home.

If they choose to do so, patients recommended for home treatment can still attend an appointment and will also be able to call a dedicated helpline with queries or concerns.

The clinics, which begin Monday, 17 September, have been backed by orthopaedic surgeon Richard Jeavons who said: “There is a lot of demand for appointments in the fracture clinic. Patients can often face long waits before they are seen by a clinician, who may only need to give advice on how the patient can care for the fracture themselves at home.

“The virtual will be just as safe and effective for patients while also helping reduce demand on hospital services.

“In addition – considering the pain and mobility problems patients are likely to be experiencing, it is obviously a huge benefit if they are able to manage their treatment safely and effectively at home.

“It will benefit patients who will be getting the right treatment in the right place. Staff will benefit by having more time to treat patients and the trust will make very clear financial savings by improving appointment start times, reducing travel costs for staff and so on.”