Prevention of Osteoporosis and Falls and Fractures (PROFFS)
Pier Health Group has been provided funding to screen individuals aged 65 and over at risk of osteoporosis and falls. Screening will involve combining information collected from your medical record held at the surgery, combined with an online questionnaire (a link has been sent to you) to calculate your personal risks. We will only be screening individuals who are aged 65, 70, 75 and 80 each year.
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a silent condition that affects the density and strength of your bones and can put you at a higher risk of a breaking a bone as you get older. Even if you already have osteoporosis, please complete the questionnaire as it is also checking your risks of falling.
What will happen if I am found to be at risk of osteoporosis or falls?
If you are at risk, a member of the PROFFS team will contact you to discuss your risks and your options for treatment as early intervention can reduce the risk of future fractures. Information about what you can do to help prevent osteoporosis and to avoid falls will also be sent to you.
Future Evaluation of this new service.
Evaluation is essential to see if this new service is effective in preventing falls and fractures. Anonymised data will be used to analyse those who are at highest risk of osteoporosis and falling and whether interventions are effective. If you are at higher risk, we would like to contact you again in 3- and 6-months’ time and after a year.
Will my personal information be kept confidential?
Yes, your information will only be visible to the PROFFS team to manage your care. It will be entered onto your medical record and stored securely by Pier Health. None of your identifiable information will be included in the evaluation.
Further Information
If you have any further questions about the content, purpose, or legitimacy of this questionnaire you can either contact your Surgery or any member of the PROFFS team via their email bnssg.proffs@nhs.net.
You are under no obligation to participate with this questionnaire and evaluation.
This project has been funded by the Bristol, North Somerset & south Gloucestershire (BNSSG) Integrated Care Board (ICB) and has been approved by the Pier Health Executive Team https://pierhealth.co.uk/ & supported by the BNSSG ICB Research Department https://bnssg.icb.nhs.uk/about-us/research-and-evidence/about-the-research-team/ & Health Innovation Network West Of England https://www.healthinnowest.net/