Virtual Fracture Clinic (VFC)

The Virtual Fracture Clinic (VFC) was introduced at Medway in April 2018. It is collaboration between the Minor Injury Unit (MIU)/Emergency Department at Medway Maritime Hospital including the MIUs at Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital, Sheppy Community Hospital and Gravesham Community Hospital. Primary Health Care Providers can also refer into the VFC. 

• This useful poster explains some of the benefits of the virtual clinic

Many injuries do not require any specific input from a doctor or orthopaedic surgeon and can be self-managed by patients. The following conditions are directly discharged from ED/MIU with an advice leaflet for patients: 

• Undisplaced Acromio-clavicular joint injuries 
• Undisplaced Radial Head/Neck fractures 
• Wrist and scaphoid injuries
• 5^th Metacarpal Neck Fractures 
• Non-boney Mallet finger injuries 
• Paediatric Clavicle Fracture 
• Torus buckle fractures 
• Ankle sprains 
• Base of 5^th Metatarsal Fractures 
• Lesser toe fractures 

Exercise leaflets:

• Shoulder Exercises Patient Information Leaflet
• Exercise sheet for hand injuries
• Knee Exercises Patient Information Leaflet 
• Ankle Exercises Patient Information Leaflet

Ambulant patients requiring specialist orthopaedic review are referred for triage and Virtual Fracture Clinic review. In the VFC the clinical notes from the Emergency Department/ Minor Injury Unit and the radiographs are evaluated by an orthopaedic consultant. The consultant then decides on the best treatment for this particular patient; this might be advice given over the telephone regarding self-management of the injury, referral for physiotherapy or a face-to-face appointment in the fracture clinic. Generally patients get referred to the VFC by the following working day after presentation at MIU/ED, but sometimes there can be delays. We aim for all patients to be evaluated within 3 days. The patient then will be contacted by a nurse, who will explain about the decision. A letter is typed for the patient and the GP. Following this the patient will be either discharged, directed to a general or specialist fracture clinic with appointment, recalled for direct assessment if surgery is anticipated or referred for physiotherapy.

The virtual fracture clinic can be directly contacted by patients or their carers / guardians / parents if they have concerns. Please leave your name, hospital number and contact details on the answer phone.

• Monday to Friday, 11am to 5pm:  Call 07760 553994
• Referrals: met-tr.fracturereferrals@nhs.net