Labour Ministers are facing mounting pressure to fulfill their pledge to create 60 new fracture liaison services (FLS) aimed at improving the treatment of osteoporosis and preventing deaths from fractures. Campaigners, including the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS), are advocating for a legislative amendment to compel the government to ensure comprehensive NHS services for osteoporosis across England and Wales.
Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting made a pre-election commitment to establish universal FLS by 2030. However, the ROS claims that no progress has been made on delivering these 60 new clinics. In response, the ROS and other advocacy groups are supporting a proposed amendment to the government's Health Bill. This amendment would legally mandate the rollout of the clinics and require ministers to provide annual progress reports.
Craig Jones, chief executive of the ROS, highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating that 2,000 people die annually from fractures that FLS could prevent. He expressed concern that two years after the government's commitment, there is still no clear delivery plan, funding arrangements, or progress milestones.
Tory MP Caroline Johnson, a hospital consultant, has tabled the amendment and challenged ministers to honor their commitments to patients. She stated that if the government is serious about its promise of universal, high-quality FLS by 2030, they should readily support the amendment.
Before the election, former Health Secretary Wes Streeting pledged to introduce universal fracture liaison services by 2030.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care affirmed the government's commitment to rolling out FLS by 2030 as part of its 10-Year Health Plan. The department also noted that it is investing in 20 new state-of-the-art DEXA scanners, in addition to 13 installed last year, to aid in the early diagnosis of fragile bones and prevent fractures.