Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Baroness Altmann (Conservative) on Monday, 4 December 2023, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 December 2023. It was answered by Lord Markham (Conservative) on Monday, 18 December 2023 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Osteoporosis: Diagnosis and Medical Treatments

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the potential cost savings to (1) the NHS, and (2) employers, in the next 20 years as a result of early detection and treatment of osteoporosis.

Answer

We have made no estimate of the potential cost savings to the National Health Service, and to employers, in the next 20 years as a result of early detection and treatment of osteoporosis.

Information on the number of working days lost each year that result from bone fractures is not available. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Sickness absence in the United Kingdom labour market publication is produced from data collected from the Labour Force Survey; however, this survey does not specifically ask the question of sick days taken due to fractures.

A document is attached with tables showing, firstly, the number of deaths where bone fractures were the secondary cause of death, by broad age group and sex, registered between 2014 and 2023 in England and Wales; and secondly, the number of deaths involving bone fractures, by broad age group and sex, registered between 2014 and 2023 in England and Wales.

Government will continue to consider options for further work to support those with osteoporosis and at risk of fractures, including working together with NHS England to explore supporting the provision of fracture liaison service.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL791
Session
2023-24
Attachment
Attachment
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Diagnosis Finance Medical treatments Osteoporosis
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk