After 46 weeks of press coverage, the Royal Osteoporosis Society’s Better Bones Campaign has secured promises from Parliament to extend Fracture Liaison Services (FLS), with support from the SoR.
The SoR has welcomed the campaign’s victory, for which it has lent its support over the last year.
Work of the two societies to raise awareness of this important issue has been acknowledged by the government, but SoR has added it will still require education and training to support the planned programme. The organisations will continue to seek commitments from NHS England.
'Work needs to continue'
Charlotte Beardmore, executive director of professional policy for the SoR, said: “It is fantastic to see that MPs are committing to delivering DXA services to support early diagnosis of osteoporosis and improve the lives of people in England, matching a commitment already given to the people in Wales.
“The campaign needs to continue to ensure the same commitment is given by the governments in Northern Ireland and Scotland. Work also needs to continue to ensure there are enough skilled professionals within the diagnostic radiography workforce to support the delivery of this important service.”
Last week (23 May), health and social care secretary Victoria Atkins promised to extend FLS to all 42 Integrated Care Systems in England by 2030.
Ms Atkins said: “I have listened to the tireless campaigning of the Royal Osteoporosis Society and the campaigns of the Express and The Mail on Sunday.”
'Brutal postcode lottery'
The FLS’ diagnose people with osteoporosis as early as their first broken bone and help people stay on treatment – however, FLS clinics are missing in half of trusts in England, due to a “brutal postcode lottery,” according to the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS).
It added many FLS’ are “severely under-resourced”, resulting in a “revolving door” of fracture patients.
Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting has matched Ms Atkins’ commitment, meaning both main parties are now pledging universal FLS coverage.
Mr Streeting said: “The faster patients are diagnosed, and the earlier they can be treated, the sooner they can get back to living their lives to the full. Labour has listened to this important campaign, and we will make sure the NHS diagnoses and treats osteoporosis patients on time.”
Lifting 'enormous burdens'
Full FLS coverage will prevent 74,000 fractures over the following five years, including prevention of 31,000 broken hips. The effect will be to lift “enormous burdens” from the NHS and social care system, including 750,000 NHS bed days over the same period, the ROS said.
The ROS campaign has been supported by 271 Parliamentarians from across the four nations, alongside presidents of seven royal medical colleges, together representing over 600,000 doctors and nurses.
Employers’ organisations including the British Chambers of Commerce, CBI, Federation of Small Businesses and British Retail Consortium have all supported the campaign, to help stop fractures forcing people out of work.
The TUC, GMB and Unite unions all joined the call, alongside 41 charities representing people at higher risk of fractures, as well as Mumsnet and Gransnet.
This news follows the ministerial mandate for 100 per cent FLS coverage in Wales, which has been supported by a transformation fund.
'Biggest policy breakthrough'
Craig Jones, chief executive of the ROS, said: “This is the biggest policy breakthrough people with osteoporosis have ever had. At last, the tragedy of preventable fractures has been recognised by both parties of government, and a shared commitment has been made for universal services to diagnose people early.
“We’re not stopping there.”
He added the next step is to focus on Scottish and Northern Irish ministers, while making the case for a national screening programme to prevent 8,000 broken hips every year.
(Photo by: Bone densitometry examination (DXA), BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)