No elderly fracture doctor in WHSCT

THE Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) is the only trust in Northern Ireland currently not served by a consultant specialising in fractures in elderly patients.

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey advised that the Western Trust is awaiting approval from the Commissioner for the recruitment of an ortho-geriatrician to serve patients here.

Asked by Alliance MLA Kieran McCarthy what steps he was taking to ensure that all fracture units were supported by an acute in-patient orthogeriatric service he said a service was in place in all Trust's except for the WHSCT.

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"I am advised that the Western Trust does not currently have an ortho-geriatrician in post but is awaiting approval from the Commissioner for the recruitment of a staff grade physician and a fracture liaison nurse," he stated.

"An orthogeriatric service in all Trusts is one of the recommendations set out in a report on 'The prevention and management of fragility fractures in Northern Ireland.'

"I have asked the Health and Social Care Board to consider the most appropriate mechanism to implement the report's recommendations, taking account of the financial context of 2010 and beyond," he added

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