About the Fracture Liaison Service (FLS)

The Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) aims to identify people (aged over 50) who have broken a bone with only a mild knock or gentle fall. This kind of break is often called a 'fragility fracture'.

If we diagnose that these patients have osteoporosis, we can offer them medication treatment to help reduce their risk of broken bones in the future.

​​​​Osteoporosis is a condition where your bones become weaker and break easily, even after a minor bump or fall. (See 'More information' below).

Most patients are referred to the FLS by Kingston Hospital Emergency Department. Patients usually begin treatment within 16 weeks of their referral.

What to expect 

Before we see you in person, we will send you a simple questionnaire electronically (by email or text message).

This questionnaire will ask you to come to Kingston Hospital for the following investigations:

  • a blood test (to check your bone health)
  • a DEXA scan (a type of X-ray that calculates your bone density). A DEXA scan uses low-dose X-rays, and is quick and painless. It helps us detect whether you have osteoporosis. 
Blood test

To book your blood test:
DEXA scan Our Radiology Department will send you a letter by post, explaining how to book your DEXA scan. Most patients receive their DEXA appointment within 8 weeks after being referred to the FLS.
  • When you have had your blood test and DEXA scan, your results will be sent to one of our FLS consultants. They will confirm whether you have osteoporosis and are a suitable candidate for treatment with medication.
  • If medication treatment is suitable for you, we will offer you an appointment at our FLS clinic. 

FLS clinic and treatment options

At your clinic appointment, we will ask you questions about:

  • your history of fractures or bone breaks (if any)
  • any medications that you currently take.

Treatment 

We will also discuss the following medication treatment options with you:

  • by mouth (tablets)
  • by injection
  • by infusion.

If you consent to treatment, we will send your GP a letter with our recommendations. We will also send you a copy of this letter, and some useful leaflet information on osteoporosis and exercising for bone health.

Follow-up

If we start you on treatment by mouth, injection or infusion, we will send you two follow-up questionnaires (by email or text message). We will send you these as follows:

  • first follow-up: 16 weeks after your fragility fracture
  • second follow-up: 52 weeks after your fragility fracture.

These questionnaires will help us monitor how your medication treatment is going.

If we start you on treatment by mouth (tablets), we will also recommend that your GP monitors your progress after the initial treatment period of 5 years.

Support and exercise programmes

We will ask your GP to refer you to your local support and exercise services.

Patients in Richmond and Kingston can find support and advice on falls prevention, including a range of gentle exercises, from the following Kingston Hospital services:

More information

NHS information on osteoporisis

Royal Osteoporosis Society on how to protect your bones and reduce risk of fracture

Royal Osteoporosis Society on exercise for bone health

Contact information

Kingston Hospital Fracture Liaison Service Team
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Email: krft.fls@nhs.net

 

Falls and Bone Health Service, Richmond
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm

 

Falls Prevention Service, Kingston
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm

Telephone:

Kingston Hospital FLS team: 020 8934 6852

 

Falls and Bone Health Service, Richmond: 020 8614 5397

 

Physiotherapy Outpatients, Kingston: 020 8934 2510