DERRIFORD bosses say they have improved care for elderly patients with broken hips — as a report states there were "unacceptable" waits for surgery at the hospital.

An audit published by the Royal College of Surgeons yesterday found large variations in access to hip surgery and care designed to prevent future falls across the country.

It found some hospitals managed to get 95 per cent or more patients through surgery within 48 hours, while others including Derriford only managed about 55 per cent.

A Derriford Hospital spokesman said the figures cover the period up to March this year and rates have since improved.

He said: "Between April and June this year, 77 per cent of our patients with hip fractures received their operation within 48 hours.

"This is a marked improvement on last year. In July and August 2010, 84 per cent and 85 per cent of patients received their surgery within 48 hours."

Derriford has increased the number of staff dedicated to the care of patients with hip fractures, which includes consultants and specialised physiotherapists, the spokesman said.

They also now have a dedicated emergency theatre list and anaesthetic support, which has reduced waiting times for surgery.

He said: "There will be occasions when patients are not able to have an operation within 48 hours, for example if they are frail, elderly or not fit enough to undergo surgery.

"We have an excellent service for patients who need hip fracture surgery. The trust is now working towards patients receiving their operation within 36 hours."

Around 76,000 people fracture their hips every year in the UK, with 92 per cent of cases among people in their seventies, eighties and nineties.

The audit, which covers 129 hospitals in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, said patients could see their health deteriorate while waiting for an operation.

While there were such variations, the National Hip Fracture Database National Report 2010 said there had been a big improvement in care in recent years.

There was now far greater access to specialist care by geriatricians, screening for osteoporosis and more people now left hospital on bone protection medicine than in the past.

Overall, the audit covered more than 36,000 hip fracture patients treated in hospitals.

Lead clinician on the report, Rob Wakeman, said: "Hip fractures are threatening to overwhelm trauma and orthopaedic units, and it is the responsibility of clinicians and managers to work together to come up with solutions to improve patient care in their hospital.

"We are seeing lots of evidence from around the UK that big improvements in the quality of hip fracture care can be achieved in a short space of time."