Skip to main content

CTM UHB Fracture Liaison Service - A First for Wales in Combining Bone Health and Frailty Screening

Left to Right - Natalie Hill, Yasmin Ford, Raja Biswas, Michael Jones, Chelsie Humphreys

The Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTM UHB) - the first and only service in Wales to assess patient frailty alongside bone health - launched last autumn to proactively identify, assess, and treat fragility fractures.

A fragility fracture is a break that occurs from a fall at standing height or less, often indicating osteoporosis. Osteoporosis-related fractures can have a significant personal impact on patients and carers, as well as a high cost to the NHS. Many of these fractures are preventable with timely diagnosis and treatment.

A proactive, preventative approach
The aim of the FLS is to reduce the risk of future fractures by providing a holistic, patient-centred service. Patients are educated on both frailty and bone health, and offered interventions such as:

  • Investigations for Osteoporosis and bone health medication
  • Lifestyle advice and targeted exercise programmes

The service also brings sustainable benefits:

  • Reducing the financial burden of fractures and falls
  • Minimising paper use with mostly electronic records
  • Conducting most patient consultations by telephone, reducing travel and carbon emissions

Clinical leadership and innovation
Dr Raja Biswas, Consultant Geriatrician, Clinical & Operational Lead for the FLS, and Clinical Director for the CTM UHB Ageing Well Strategy Group, said: “I’m very proud of the team’s collaborative approach and the senior management support that made this possible. We provide a model of care where healthcare professionals reach out to patients, offering a service never before available in CTM UHB. We firmly believe bone health and frailty go hand-in-hand, and our holistic approach enables us to improve overall patient care.”

Since launching, the FLS has reviewed over 500 patients, initiating measures to reduce risk of future fractures and connecting people to other key services including the Falls Service, @Home Service, National Exercise Referral Scheme, and Smoking Cessation.

Positive patient feedback
Patients have been sharing their feedback on the service:

“The information provided was extremely useful and I was glad to be contacted by FLS.” - Eileen Fox

“I found the chat with Mike very helpful & informative.” - Donal Lewis

Based at Dewi Sant Hospital but serving the entire CTM UHB area, the service is led by Dr Raja Biswas and delivered by three full-time Advanced Clinical Practitioners - Chelsie Humphreys, Yasmin Ford, and Michael Jones - and supported by Administrative Assistant, Natalie Hill.

Further information about osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a silent disease which affects 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men - where bones lose strength and are more likely to break. Many people will not know that they have it, until they break a bone.

Additional information about osteoporosis can be found on the Royal Osteoporosis Society website.

29/08/2025