Fractures clinic set to meet demand

Latrobe Regional Health (LRH) has expanded a service to treat bone fractures, to meet the growing demand from the local community.

Prompt treatment of fractures in both adults and children significantly improves outcomes, a goal that LRH aims to achieve with this service expansion.

“The demand for this service has been substantial. Previously, our waiting list extended to four to five weeks, which was far from ideal. This new, permanent expansion will reduce waiting times and improve patient outcomes,” LRH Consulting Suites Business Manager Paul Ferguson said.

The team is equipped to manage wounds, monitor fracture healing, and remove casts when appropriate.

“We’ve moved to an area that became available following our recent expansion. This move has allowed us to almost triple our patient capacity,” Paul said.

“With the new space, we have the opportunity to grow and expand the service moving forward, allowing us to adapt and change to continue serving the community.”

The new facility comprises two consultation rooms, 11 treatment areas and is staffed by two orthopaedic registrars, a specialist nurse, and administrative personnel to support the clinical team.

The team is further enhanced by support from physiotherapy and orthotics.

Physiotherapy services assist patients in regaining strength and mobility post-fracture, while orthotic services provide custom fitting for braces and support to aid in recovery and prevent further injury. This new approach ensures a higher level of care for our patients.

“The team now accepts referrals from local GPs, Gippsland emergency departments, and other local service providers. We are currently treating more than 80 patients a week, a significant increase from the 30 patients a week when the service was housed in the Consulting Suites here at LRH,” Paul said.

LRH Chief Executive Mr Don McRae said the expansion of the Fracture Clinic responded to the community’s needs.

“When space became available after services moved into the expansion, , we identified the fractures team could utilise the space that had been vacated and quickly moved to set it up,” he said.

The new Fracture Clinic is situated in the former Day Procedures Unit in the older section of LRH and operates Tuesday and Thursday, from 08:30 am to 04:30 pm. Referrals from GPs and orthopaedic surgeons can be made via email: fracture.clinic@lrh.com.au

Front sitting – Samamtha Geerling, Sue Patton, patient Railie Jinks

Back – Paul Ferguson, Tanya Van Berkel, Megan Bates, Adam Simons, Jacob Bock, Campbell Fisher, Daniel Ong, Sam Hodge, Shraddha Rasal