Advice About Possibly Requiring an Operation for a Fracture (Broken Bone)

Advice about your injury

Your injury has been assessed and treated by the Urgent Care Centre (UCC) or The Emergency Department (ED) staff.

It may be that your injury would benefit from an operation, but this does not need to be undertaken as an immediate emergency procedure and therefore you have been allowed to go home.

What happens now?

The morning after your accident, the information about your injury and your X-rays will be reviewed by an Orthopaedic Consultant (a senior doctor who specialises in fractures) and there will be a decision made about the best treatment options for you.

In case an operation is required, you should have nothing to eat after midnight on the day you are sent home. This includes chewing gum and sweets.

On the following morning you can have a cup / glass of water at 6am or earlier.

DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANY FLUIDS AFTER 6AM.

What about my medications?

You can take all your medications (tablets) on the morning of surgery (unless advised otherwise by medical staff).

Take your pain killers as prescribed with 30 ml of clear fluid if you would normally take these after 6am.

Please bring all of your current medications into hospital with you if you need to come in for an operation.

How will I know if I need an operation?

You should be contacted by telephone before i.e. lunchtime of the following day with further information, even if no surgery is thought to be required.

Any follow up advice will be confirmed in a follow up letter.

Contact numbers

Orthopaedic Outpatients Department

Fracture Clinic, University Hospital of North Tees

Telephone: 01642 383523

Opening hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm (Monday to Friday), 8:30am to 1pm (Saturday)

Voicemail 24 hours.

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

Patient Experience Team (PET)

We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. The office is based on the ground floor at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact:

Telephone: 01642 624719

Freephone: 0800 092 0084

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm

Email: [email protected]

Out of hours

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.

Telephone: 01642 617617

Data protection and use of patient information

The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.

Telephone: 01642 383551

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:

Email: [email protected]