Campaigners are criticizing Wes Streeting for failing to fulfill his promise, resulting in older individuals experiencing severe fractures, according to reports. The Health Secretary had committed to implementing specialized clinics in all English hospitals to screen for osteoporosis, a condition that can lead to imminent fractures, before the Labour government took office in 2024.
Statistics show that half of women over 50 may endure fractures associated with osteoporosis, with broken hips proving fatal to more than a quarter of patients within a year. The Royal Osteoporosis Society highlights that these clinics could prevent the deaths of 2,000 individuals annually following hip fractures.
During his time in Opposition, Mr. Streeting criticized the delays in Fracture Liaison Services under the previous administration, vowing to prioritize their implementation as Health Secretary. However, the promised rollout has faced setbacks, prompting the Royal Osteoporosis Society to launch an advocacy campaign urging Mr. Streeting to expedite the process.
Dr. Sarah Jarvis emphasized the importance of these services, noting the government’s repeated pledges to prioritize women’s health. Despite the commitments, delays persist, endangering thousands of lives annually due to fractures caused by osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis affects around 3.5 million people in the UK, leading to over half a million fragility fractures each year. Alarmingly, half of women over 50 and a fifth of men are at risk of fragility fractures due to osteoporosis, which can occur from simple everyday movements like coughing or sneezing.
While effective medications exist, a significant portion of individuals with osteoporosis miss out due to disparities in diagnostic clinic availability across NHS Trusts. The absence of these clinics has resulted in an estimated 4,000 deaths from hip fractures since Labour took office.
The Royal Osteoporosis Society stresses the financial burden of preventable fractures on the healthcare system, estimating costs at £150 million, more than double the expense of clinic rollout. Furthermore, half of patients with fatal hip fractures had previous fractures that could have been identified through these clinics, potentially preventing further incidents.
Craig Jones, the society’s chief executive, emphasized the urgency of implementing fracture prevention clinics, stating that delays are directly impacting lives. The society’s data suggests that the full rollout of these clinics could prevent tens of thousands of fractures over five years and alleviate the strain on NHS resources.
In response to criticisms, the Department of Health and Social Care reaffirmed the government’s commitment to establishing fracture liaison services nationwide by 2030. They highlighted ongoing investments in advanced DEXA scanners to enhance early diagnosis of fragile bones and prevent debilitating fractures, particularly among older individuals and women disproportionately affected by osteoporosis.
