40% die within yearsays fracture audit

Furthermore, the audit found that 20 per cent of patients who lived in their own homes and broke a hip between 2002 and 2007 died within 12 months.

The statistics were revealed during a recent Assembly debate on Osteoporosis fractures secured by Chair of the Stormont Health Committee Michelle Gildernew who described them as “shocking.”

“Between 1985 and 2007, there has been a 59 per cent increase in hip fractures here.

“The figures for the period 2002-07 show that 20 per cent of patients who lived in their own homes and broke a hip died after 12 months, while 40 per cent of patients who lived in a nursing home passed away over the same period.

“Therefore, if five people who live in a nursing home break a hip, two will be dead after 12 months. Those are shocking statistics and they reveal how devastating fractures can be to a person’s life chances. For some, they really do signal a death sentence,” she stated.

She explained how fragility fractures accounted for 70 per cent of inpatient work and 35 per cent of outpatient work in a fracture unit, and that it has been estimated that the number of fragility fractures will double in the next 40 years.

“The care of fragility fractures is very expensive. A total of £70 million is spent each year here, which makes a significant dent in the healthcare budget. The average stay in hospital after a hip fracture is 26 days, and the cost per person to treat a hip fracture is £20,000,” said Ms Gildernew.

During the debate the Health Minister revealed that it was necessary to ensure Dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry scans (DXA scans) - used for diagnosing and following Osteoporosis - are available throughout the province.

He also said Altnagelvin does not currently have a “fragility fractures liaison service” in place but that it was working towards the establishment of one.

Mr Poots said: “The issue of DXA scans is one that we can look at. It is a specific type of scan, and we, therefore, need to have the appropriate level of scanners available.

“That might not be the case as things stand. We will seek to ascertain that for the Member. Ms Boyle also raised the fragility fractures liaison service in the west.

“Three trusts have it. It was planned in Altnagelvin for October this year. The fragility fractures and bone health group is taking forward the recommendations of the 2009 report, with the intention of ensuring that they are all fulfilled. The Altnagelvin one was due to happen last month, but if it has not, we will see where that is and come back to you on the issue.”