Whipps Cross University Hospital

What we do

The unit has been in existence since 1989 - it is part of the Academic Rheumatology and Osteoporosis Department. 

The Unit has a state of the art bone density scanner which is used to diagnose osteoporosis. It also has regular clinics with doctors who specialise in the condition.

The Academic Rheumatology and Osteoporosis Department has been involved in many trials for treatments that are now in daily use.

It also carries out its own assessments of its services which has resulted in the provision of the Osteoporosis Assessment Service for all patients over 50 who have broken a bone.

More information on this service can be found below.

The Unit is part of Whipps Cross University Hospital, but is not located on the main hospital site, but is located on the 1st floor of  the Silverthorn Medical Centre in Chingford. 

The team includes:

• Clinicians
  Dr SP Donnelly
  Dr AV Thompson
  Dr AJ Hakim
  Dr H Tahir
• Osteoporosis Nurse Specialist
  Margaretta Rooney

• Radiographers
  Louise Davis
  Eleanor Lewis

How to contact us

Where to find us

How to find us

Opening Times

How to get treatment

To have a bone density scan you will need a referral from your GP (General Practitoner) or a hospital consultant.

The Unit also accepts referrals from private patients (any income goes directly to support the Unit's costs). A bone density scan is only done when the patient has sufficient risk factors.

• Osteoporosis Assessment Following Fracture (OsAFF)
  If you are 50 years old or over and you break a bone, when you attend our A&E department you may be referred to the Osteoporosis Unit to assess the strength of your bones. 
  
  If you are referred, it is important you attend as this is designed to stop you from breaking more bones.  You will be sent your appointment approximately 12 weeks after your accident, this will allow your bones to heal.
  
• If you are aged 50-64, you will be scanned and only see the Nurse Specialist if you have osteoporosis.
  
• If you are aged 65-74, you will have a scan followed by an appointment with the Nurse Specialist for treatment and lifestyle advice. 
  
• If you are over 75, you will have treatment recommendations sent to your GP without the need for a scan.  It is proven that patients of this age who have had a broken bone from a simple fall will benefit from treatment.
  

• We do not scan patients over the age of 85 as there is no population data available for people above this age. Our Management Guidelines state that patients should be treated according to their risk factors.  

Further information

There are many reasons why you might be referred to have a scan or clinic appointment with the Unit.   

The most common reasons for having a bone density scan are either having a fractured or broken bone following a simple fall or if you are on long term corticosteriod tablets for another condition, such as asthma or arthritis.

Other reasons could be connected to your family or medical history or your lifestyle.

The best thing to do if you think you may be at risk of osteoporosis is to see your GP and they will be able to advise you if you require a bone density scan or a clinic appointment.  

In most cases, once your GP has the scan results, they will be able to treat you in their surgery. Usually only complex cases are seen in an Osteoporosis Clinic at the Silverthorn Centre.

What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis literally means "porous bones". The bones in your body are made of a thick outer shell and a strong inner mesh, which looks like a honeycomb made up of tiny bridges of bone. 

Osteoporosis means some of these bridges become thin or weak, making bone more fragile and prone to fracture. 

People with Osteoporosis therefore carry an excess risk of fracture following minor slips, trips or falls.

How many people have osteoporosis?
The National Osteoporosis Society figures state that over the age of 50, one in two women, and one in five men will have sufficient osteoporosis to lead to risk of a broken bone.

How do I know if I have osteoporosis?
One of the best ways to diagnose osteoporosis is with a bone density scan  (see our full scanning informaiton leaflet at the bottom of this page).

This measures the thickness of your bones.  It involves lying on the scanner bed (pictured above) whilst the arm moves above your hip and spine. 

As you can see from the picture of our scanner, you do not go into a tunnel and as long as you are not wearing any metal, you usually don't need to undress. 

The procedure takes 15 to 20 minutes and is painless and harmless. Your GP will be able to advise you if you are at risk of osteoporosis when they receive your results.

What treatments are available?
Osteoporosis is not an inevitable part of ageing. Many treatments are available and they do help prevent fractures.

The most common form of treatment is calcium and vitamin D. This is simple but can be effective, particularly for the elderly and housebound, or those who may have a vitamin D deficiency - this is often found in the Asian community.

Bisphosphonates are the most commonly prescribed treatments for this condition, for example: Alendronate, Risedronate and Ibandronate (tablets).   

An alternative to Bisphosphonates would be Strontium Ranelate - a powder mixed with water to be taken daily.

A further treatment for severe osteoporosis is Teriparatide, this is only available from a consultant at the hospital.

HRT is no longer recommended as a treatment for osteoporosis. More detailed information on these drugs can be found on the National Osteoporosis Society website, see our link to their website at the bottom of the page.

How can I keep my bones healthy?
Following some lifestyle advice can reduce your risk of having falls and fractures:

• Take regular weight bearing exercise, for example: walking, tennis, exercise classes.  Swimming, although a good form of exercise will not strengthen your bones.
• Only drink alcohol within the national guidelines - 14 units per week for women, 21 units per week for men.
• Try to stop or reduce your smoking.
• Dietary advice: increase your calcium intake - for example one third of a pint of milk and one yoghurt and a portion of hard cheese daily; or a portion of sardines or pilchards (with the bones in) daily. A list of calcium levels in everyday foods can be found in the leaflet at the bottom of this page.

Falls
If you have had more than one fall in the last year, without good reason, please see your GP who will be able to give you some advice on fall prevention.

For Patients
Further information about the condition is available from the National Osteoporosis Society, please click here to open their website.

For Health Professionals
Copies of the Units' Osteoporosis Management Guidelines and Referral Forms are available electronically or by post.

Telephone: 020 8535 6590, or fax: 020 8529 9919 or e-mail us at: osteoporosis@whippsx.nhs.uk

Documents to download

There are further information leaflets available below, please click on the revelant one to open: