Elderly individuals are experiencing severe fractures due to the failure of Wes Streeting to fulfill his commitment, according to advocates. Prior to the Labour government taking office in 2024, Health Secretary Mr. Streeting vowed to introduce specialized clinics in all English hospitals to screen patients for osteoporosis, a condition that can lead to imminent bone breakage.
The Royal Osteoporosis Society reveals that half of women aged 50 and above will endure fractures related to osteoporosis, with broken hips proving fatal for over a quarter of patients within a year. It is estimated that 2,000 individuals perish annually following hip fractures that could have been prevented by these clinics.
During his time in Opposition, Mr. Streeting criticized the delays in Fracture Liaison Services under the Conservatives, labeling it a betrayal of patients. He promised to prioritize the rollout of these services upon assuming the role of Health Secretary.
In a bid to urge Mr. Streeting to expedite the establishment of fracture prevention clinics, the Royal Osteoporosis Society will launch an advertising campaign starting with an advertisement in the Daily Mirror on Monday, followed by promotions in bus stations and the London Underground.
Dr. Sarah Jarvis, a well-known television physician, emphasized the urgency of implementing Fracture Liaison Services for osteoporosis patients, highlighting the government’s repeated commitments to women’s health. Despite numerous reassurances, the delay in delivery is jeopardizing over 2,000 lives annually.
Approximately 3.5 million Britons suffer from osteoporosis, a condition that increases susceptibility to bone fractures, resulting in over 500,000 fragility fractures each year. The prevalence of fragility fractures among women over 50 due to osteoporosis is alarming, affecting one in every two women and one in every five men, often occurring from mundane activities like coughing or hugging.
Although effective treatments exist, two-thirds of osteoporosis patients miss out on them due to disparities in access to diagnostic clinics across NHS Trusts. Since the Labour government assumed power, an estimated 4,000 individuals have died following hip fractures that could have been prevented by these clinics.
The Royal Osteoporosis Society estimates that preventable fractures have incurred substantial costs to the NHS and social care, surpassing the expenses of implementing the clinics. Timely identification of potential fractures through these clinics could prevent fatal outcomes, as half of patients with fatal hip fractures had a history of previous fractures that could have been addressed.
Craig Jones, the society’s chief executive, emphasized the critical need for fracture prevention clinics as promised by Wes Streeting, stressing that delays are resulting in unnecessary loss of lives. The society’s projections indicate that full rollout of these clinics could avert thousands of fractures and save hundreds of thousands of NHS bed days.
Responding to the concerns raised, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding fracture liaison services by 2030, in alignment with the 10-Year Health Plan and the recently published Women’s Health Strategy. Additionally, investments are being made in advanced DEXA scanners across the country to enhance early diagnosis of fragile bones and prevent debilitating fractures, particularly among vulnerable demographics impacted by osteoporosis.