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.

You might need an operation to help fix your injury, but this operation does not need to be done as an emergency procedure meaning you would have to stay in hospital. This means you can go home to wait for the specialists to meet and decide if an operation is needed.

In case an operation is needed, 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 you have been told otherwise by medical staff).

Take your pain killers as prescribed with 30 ml of clear fluid (water) 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.

What happens now?

The morning after you have been seen in UCC or ED, 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.

How will I know if I need an operation?

You should be contacted by telephone, usually before lunchtime of the following day, with further information. You will be contacted 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 Team is here to try to resolve your concerns. The office is based at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. Our contact details are:

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

Patient, Public and People with Lived Experience

We are looking for patients to share their experiences of healthcare and to join our Involvement Bank. Working with the patients, carers, families and the general population we support in making decisions about their care can lead to better health outcomes, increased patient satisfaction and a better overall experience. We want to listen and work with you in shaping the future of your healthcare services. To find out more about the Involvement Bank go to our website or contact us at:

Website: www.nth.nhs.uk/about/community/people-with-lived-experience
Email: [email protected]

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 at:

Email: [email protected]