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Hand problems

Checked: 23-11-2022 by Vicky Ryan Next Review: 23-11-2023

Hand trauma

BRI and WGH have regular fracture clinics for trauma and unplanned orthopaedic care for hand trauma problems. Referrals usually come via A & E but can also be made by GPs directly. Other injuries or more urgent cases should be referred to A & E or local Urgent Treatment Centres as appropriate.

BRI: Refer via T&O Fracture Clinic RAS on e-Referral

WGH: Refer via email to: Wnt-tr.orthopaedicsecretaries@nhs.net

NBT: Refer via eRS to the Specialist Hand RAS - Plastic Surgery - Southmead. Referrals will be clinically triaged by a specialist hand consultant team before any appointments are booked. Do not refer hand trauma to orthopaedics at NBT. This includes all hand injuries, bone and soft tissue/ structural problems from distal carpal bones to finger tips.

For urgent problems (i.e If a hand injury is <3 weeks old) the GP should ring via Southmead switchboard and speak to the SHO on call (Plastics) while the patient is with them, and they will be given an appropriate appointment.

All trauma injuries over 3 weeks old, including old fractures causing deformity, old tendon injuries causing lack of function, should be referred as above if the patient wishes to be seen at Southmead.

Elective hand referrals

All elective hand referrals, bar trauma injuries, should be sent to the relevant MSK Single Point of Access triage service initially: Sirona Musculoskeletal Interface (MSKI) Service

Please note Carpal Tunnel, Dupuytren's Contracture and Trigger Finger are all subject to Criteria Based Access Policies.

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