Whipps Cross University Hospital

What we do

We deal with problems of the musculo-skeletal system - looking after people with problems of the spine, arms and legs.

We not only deal with the bones and joints, but also the muscles, tendons and nerves. Patients are seen in one of our following clinics:

• Fracture clinic - for patients who have suffered an injury
• Orthopaedic clinics - for patients with non-acute problems

Fracture Clinic

We see patients who have been referred by Accident and Emergency, or have previously been inpatients having had treatment for an acute injury.

The fracture clinic is staffed by a Consultant and a Registrar (Higher Surgical Trainee). Plasters are put on and taken off by a team of Plaster Technicians.

Fracture clinics tend to be quite busy and we cannot promise that you will be seen at the exact time of your appointment. As injuries vary in their complexity, some patients require more time with the doctor than others.

Some patients will be sent for an X-ray by the doctor. They will return to be seen after their x-ray results and may appear to be jumping the queue if they go in before you. In fact they will have been at the hospital before you, so please bear this in mind and be patient.

It may be a good idea to bring a book. If possible, please do not bring young children with you as we have no facilities for them within the waiting area.

It is very important that you attend all you clinic appointments in order for you to make a full recovery. If you cannot make an appointment, please contact us and let us know.

If you need an X-ray on at your next appointment, you will be given an X-ray request form. X-ray’s are carried out in the GP X-ray unit at the hospital and you can book at slot with them at your convenience.

On your next appointment you should go to the GP X-ray unit first, before you come to the fracture clinic reception and this will help speed up your appointment.

If your doctor tells you, you will need an X-ray at your next appointment and does not give you a form, please feel free to ask them for it.

Please note you can not have an X-ray without an X-ray request form.

If you are recovering well, you may be given an Open Appointment, this means the doctor does not thing you will need to be seen again.

However, if you do not recover as expected, you can ring for an appointment within six weeks of you last appointment at the Fracture Clinic.

If you wish to be seen again more than six weeks after your last visit, you will need to go back to your GP for a referral back to the Fracture Clinic.

Orthopaedic clinic

We see patients who have a musculo-skeletal problem but have not suffered an acute injury - this is sometimes referred to as an “Elective Clinic”.

Please note, we do not deal with the orthopaedic problems of children other than acute injuries. If your child has an orthopaedic problem your GP will refer you to alternative hospital. (We do see children with fractures in the fracture clinics).

The team includes Consultant Surgeons, Registrars (Higher Surgical Trainees), Consultant Physiotherapists and Advanced Nurse Practitioners.

Clinics tend to be specialised, dealing with certain Orthopaedic problems. We have separate specialised clinics dealing with the spine, the shoulder, the upper limb, the hip and knee joints as well as the foot and ankle.

The team includes eight Consultants, each with a special interest:

• Mr H Ahmed, Shoulders
• Mr I Garnham, Foot and ankle
• Mr B Goldie, Upper limb
• Mr A Khan, Spine
• Mr M Lamba, Hip and knee
• Mr T McAuliffe, Hip and knee
• Mr B Okafor, Spine
• Mr G Robbins, Hip and knee

How to contact us

Where to find us

How to find us

For more information on how to find these locations or how to get the hospital please look under our 'Where to find us section'.

• Click here to view location map of the hospital.
• Click here to view how to get here.

Opening times

How to get treatment

• Fracture clinic

If you have had a recent injury to your limbs or your spine, please go straight to Accident and Emergency. They will be able to diagnose your injury and give you initial treatment. 

If you then need to be seen by an orthopaedic surgeon, you will be given an appointment to be seen in the next available Fracture Clinic.

If you break a bone in another area and are seen in a different Accident and Emergency department, and you have an X-ray or referral letter, then you can ring for an appointment at the Fracture clinic.

If you do not have any paperwork you will have to visit our Accident and Emergency department, they will confirm the fracture and make you an appointment for you at the Fracture Clinic if required.

Please note, if you do not attend your appointment and do not let us know, you will be discharged from the service. You will then to be referred again by your GP (General Practitioner) to get another appointment.

• Orthopaedic clinic

To get an appointment with the Orthopaedic team, you need a referral from your GP (General Practitioner).

Your GP will either write a letter to us and we will send you an appointment, or you can use the ‘Choose and Book’ system with your GP’s help.

Please note, if you do not attend your appointment and do not let the department know, you will be discharged from the service.

Also we do not see children in the orthopaedic clinics. If you are worried about an ongoing problem with your child, your GP should refer you to another hospital. They will be able to recommend a suitable alternative.