Written question asked by Jonathan Shaw (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 July 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 21 July 2005. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Monday, 12 September 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Osteoporosis Care/Services

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department is taking to improve osteoporosis services in primary care.

Answer: The national service framework for older people clearly states that, following a fall, general practitioners should take responsibility for assessing risk of osteoporosis and identifying those who need prevention or treatment and then make a referral to an appropriate specialist service.The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recently issued an appraisal of drugs used in the secondary prevention of osteoporotic fractures in post-menopausal women. NICE is also appraising drugs used in the primary prevention of osteoporotic fragility fractures in postmenopausal women, due to be published in September 2005. A clinical guideline on the assessment of fracture risk and the prevention of osteoporotic fractures in individuals at high risk is being produced and is due for publication in February 2006. The NICE appraisals and guideline mentioned apply to all national health service organisations, including primary care trusts.

Secondary information