SOUTH Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust has introduced a virtual fracture clinic.

Previously, if a member of the public attended Warwick Hospital’s A and E department, with minor fractures or broken bones, they received a follow up appointment.

The introduction of the virtual fracture clinic sees the trust’s orthopaedic team review cases without the patient needing to be present.

Shortly after, the on-call orthopaedic consultant and an experienced orthopaedic nurse assess the patient’s X-rays and medical notes.

After the review the nurse telephones the patient to discuss the management of the injury and if further treatment is required an appropriate clinic appointment is booked.

The aim of the virtual fracture clinic is to reduce the number of patients who do not need to return to hospital, therefore decreasing clinic waiting times and making appointments more accessible for the people who do.

Chief executive Glen Burley said: “We are really pleased to launch this great service. It is excellent innovation from our outstanding Orthopaedic Team and should provide additional benefits to our patients.”