Osteoporosis and fragility fractures are a growing public health issue in Scotland, where over 40,000 fragility fractures occur annually. For patients with osteoporosis, the risk of subsequent fractures is high, especially within the first 1-2 years after an initial fracture. The need for timely identification and treatment is critical, but many fracture liaison services (FLS) across the UK struggle with backlogs and delays, leading to avoidable secondary fractures and costly hospital admissions.
Red Star’s innovative Fracture Liaison Service platform was developed in conjunction with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in an initiative funded by Scotland’s Chief Scientist’s Office. It was designed to transform clinical pathways in the fight against secondary fractures. The platform automates key elements of the patient journey, from identification to intervention, reducing delays and improving care.
Impact at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
The results from the implementation of Red Star FLS in NHS GGC are significant. Historically, patients waited an average of 24 months for non-hip fracture identification, leading to missed opportunities for early intervention. With Red Star, all fractures are now identified and actioned within 72 hours, eliminating backlogs and dramatically increasing the service’s capacity. Over 6,000 patients are enrolled annually into the system, with a 55% reduction in case processing time and a 92% increase in the service’s overall capacity.
Dr. Maria Talla, a Consultant Physician at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, highlights the system’s impact:
“Red Star FLS has impacted every aspect of fragility fracture management at NHS GGC, drastically reducing delays in diagnosis and treatment. By automating processes, we’ve been able to do more with the same resources, significantly improving both efficiency and patient outcomes.”
A Data-Driven Approach to Better Patient Care
Red Star’s FLS platform integrates with NHS systems to streamline the fracture care process. It provides a comprehensive patient dashboard that centralises all relevant clinical information, enabling healthcare providers to assess bone health and fracture risk more effectively. The system automatically generates and sends care plans to GPs and patients, ensuring that treatment is initiated promptly, typically within 72 hours.
Red Star’s CEO, Andrew Conkie, emphasised the broader benefits:
“Our technology allows us to process vast amounts of patient information quickly and efficiently, helping clinicians to make more informed decisions. We believe this approach has the potential to greatly enhance how we manage fracture care in Scotland and across the UK and support better patient outcomes in the long term.”
Efficiency Gains and Cost Savings
Red Star’s FLS system doesn’t just improve clinical outcomes—it also offers a strong economic case for widespread adoption. A study from University of Aberdeen looking at the ageing population projects that the increase in hip fractures alone will lead to additional costs to NHS Scotland of £25m and an additional 60,699 bed days per annum [1]
By addressing inefficiencies in the current system and ensuring timely intervention, Red Star can help prevent hip fractures, leading to substantial cost savings for the NHS. For every £1 spent on the system, the NHS could save up to £3.28, representing a 288% return on investment.
Red Star’s FLS platform is not just a solution for fracture care—it’s a comprehensive approach to improving patient outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and easing the burden on overstretched NHS services.
The Red Star team will be attending the Scottish Society of Rheumatology Autumn meeting on 31st October to discuss the approach with specialists across Scotland.
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