A new method for treating broken bones has been introduced across Wales.

The All-Wales Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) will now ensure that patients aged 50 and over, who have suffered a broken bone after a fall, will have their bone health and fall risk assessed and managed.

This is expected to help reduce the risk of future fractures.

The initiative is seen as a preventive measure to protect individuals from recurrent injuries and to keep them out of hospitals.

More than £1 million has been allocated from the Six Goals Programme for Urgent and Emergency Care, and from the Welsh Value in Health Centre, to help develop FLS services in areas where there was previously no provision.

The funding has also supported the expansion and improvement of existing services.

So far, the funding has led to the recruitment of 13 clinical nurse specialists and 11 administrative staff across Wales.

Health and Social Care Cabinet Secretary, Jeremy Miles, said: "Statistics suggest that if somebody has a fragility fracture there's a one-in-three chance they will sustain a further fracture within 12 months.

"But risk can be reduced by up to 40 per cent if appropriate services are in place.

"I am delighted to say we have achieved our aim of rolling out FLS across Wales."

Dr Inder Singh, who leads the All-Wales FLS Quality Assurance and Development Group, said: "Today marks an important milestone in the journey to improve fracture liaison service provision in Wales.

"Our teams are committed to developing fracture liaison services that truly benefit the people of Wales."

Craig Jones, chief executive of the Royal Osteoporosis Society, said: "People in Wales can be proud that their government was the first to mandate universal fracture liaison services to end the revolving door of fracture patients in hospitals.

"An important first step has now been taken, with all acute health boards across Wales now providing these life-changing bone services.

"We must now build on this foundation by setting out a phased plan for every one of the services to mature to cover the whole local population.

"We’re pleased the Welsh Government has signalled that further plans will be published before the end of the year."