HEALTH bosses in Southampton have admitted improvements need to be made after a report revealed gaps in care for older people after falls and fractures.

A national investigation into falls and bone health by the Royal College of Physicians found elderly patients in the city are not getting all aspects of care which could help reduce future injury.

The report found Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust (SUHT) and Solent NHS Trust both failed to provide four out of six key aspects of care, including a fracture liaison nurse and therapeutic exercise programmes.

But health bosses in the city said because hospitals and community services work together to provide a package of care, gaps may appear in one service, but they are covered by another.

They added however that, since the report, both have already made a number of improvements to ensure elderly people have access to a complete care package in hospital and within the community.

Ellen McNicholas from Solent NHS Trust, said: “We strive to make improvements as soon as any gaps are identified as, indeed, we have done since this audit was conducted in October last year.”