Campaigners are accusing Wes Streeting of failing to fulfill his promise, leading to severe fractures among the elderly.
Prior to the Labour government taking office in 2024, Health Secretary Mr. Streeting had committed to implementing specialized clinics in all hospitals in England to screen patients for osteoporosis, a condition that increases the risk of fractures.
According to the Royal Osteoporosis Society, half of women over 50 will experience fractures associated with osteoporosis, with broken hips proving fatal for more than a quarter of patients within a year. The society claims that 2,000 lives could be saved annually by these clinics.
While in Opposition, Mr. Streeting criticized the delays in Fracture Liaison Services under the previous government and vowed to prioritize the rollout upon assuming the role of Health Secretary.
The Royal Osteoporosis Society is launching a campaign urging Mr. Streeting to expedite the establishment of fracture prevention clinics through advertisements in various platforms.
Dr. Sarah Jarvis, a television medical expert, emphasized the government’s repeated commitment to implementing Fracture Liaison Services but highlighted the ongoing delays that are putting lives at risk.
Osteoporosis affects around 3.5 million individuals in the UK, leading to over 500,000 fragility fractures annually.
Half of women over 50 and a fifth of men are at risk of fragility fractures due to osteoporosis, which can occur from simple daily movements like coughing or sneezing.
Although effective treatments exist, many individuals with osteoporosis are not receiving them due to disparities in access to diagnostic clinics across NHS Trusts.
The Royal Osteoporosis Society estimates that delayed implementation of fracture prevention clinics has resulted in significant costs to the healthcare system and unnecessary loss of lives.
Craig Jones, the society’s CEO, stressed the urgent need for fracture prevention clinics as promised by Mr. Streeting to prevent avoidable deaths.
The society points out the discrepancy between the promised rollout timeline and the actual progress, highlighting the potential benefits in terms of fracture prevention and reduced healthcare burden.
A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing fracture liaison services by 2030 and outlined interim measures to enhance osteoporosis diagnosis and prevention.
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