One phone call from an ambulance crew will kick-start a chain of events aimed at reducing the number of elderly patients who die after fracturing their hips.

This winter doctors at Medway Maritime Hospital and ambulance paramedics will be working together to ensure patients are handed into the care of orthopaedic experts as quickly and safely as possible.

Ambulance crews arriving at the home of an elderly patient with a fractured hip call an associated practitioner, who immediately begins making preparations for their arrival, such as arranging X-rays and ensuring a bed is available on the orthopaedic ward.

In the past, patients could wait up to six hours in the emergency department before they were transferred to an orthopaedic ward.

The new system means patients see a specialist within 81 minutes of being admitted to hospital.

Amy Kinch, orthopaedic trauma coordinator, said they were encouraged by early results.

She said: “We know that patients – particularly those in their 80s – stand a far greater chance of survival and recovery if they come under the care of an orthopaedic consultant sooner, rather than later.

“Due to operational pressures in the past, patients could wait for prolonged periods to see a specialist before being moved to a specialist bed. This new pathway ensures they are seen by an orthopaedic consultant far earlier.

"Once we receive the alert, and we know that we have a patient who meets the criteria, we can start putting in place the necessary measures to ensure they receive the best of care.”

“This will also prove highly significant in helping us to get below the national mortality average” - nurse Cliff Evans

Medway NHS Foundation Trust hopes the six-month trial will improve the survival rates of elderly patients.

The national mortality rate for patients who come to hospital with a fractured hip is around 8% but in Medway, this is about 10%.

Consultant nurse Cliff Evans, said: “It’s essential that we continue to introduce the right clinical measures to help improve patient care and experience – particularly for the more vulnerable members of our community.

“We’re really pleased the working partnership we now have in place with our colleagues in orthopaedics is already starting to deliver such positive results.

“This will also prove highly significant in helping us to get below the national mortality average.”