DOCTORS will be assessing people’s records to catch bone disease.

They will go through records of more than 90,000 patients over 50 to find the estimated 15,000 in Ashington, Bedlington and Morpeth at risk of osteoporosis – a disease of the bones which leads to an increased risk of fractures.

Early diagnosis of osteoporosis means patients benefit from treatment which slows the progression of the disease and means they are less likely to fall in the first place and if they do they are at less risk of a fracture.

The initiative is part of a shake-up unveiled for health services in Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside.

Under the new plans, the first in the Government’s NHS changes, more children will be treated at home rather than in hospital, alcohol and drug abuse will be tackled, obesity will be a priority as will working to prevent older folk falling.

NHS North of Tyne outlined its 12-month plans, which have been developed by local Primary Care Trusts and the region’s emerging GP consortia.

The year-long proposals covers the 800,000 people in the region and bosses claim it will reduce the number of visits to hospital by approximately 6,500 out of the 248,000 a year.

It is the first time exact detail has been provided about how patients will benefit from the North East’s emerging GP consortia – set up as part of the Government’s controversial NHS reform proposals, which will see GPs handed power over commissioning treatment worth £80bn.

Some of the schemes include building on falls prevention work, providing more care for sick children at home, tackling obesity, alcohol and drug misuse and working closer with care homes.

Mark Adams, director of performance and commissioning for NHS North of Tyne, said: “We are placing much greater emphasis on prevention, early diagnosis and faster detection of ill health and better access to the right services when people need them. Delivery of the locality plans will be led by GPs with local NHS organisations, the local authority and the community and voluntary sector.

But unions reacted with scepticism, saying they are concerned frontline staff and services may be put at risk.

Unison’s Trevor Johnston, said: “It is laudable the idea of keeping people out of hospital and providing care closer to home. But there is a lack of substance to the delivery plan and you have to ask ‘where is the money coming from?’