Written question asked by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour) on Monday, 21 October 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 November 2024. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Monday, 28 October 2024 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Osteoporosis

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of delayed osteoporosis diagnosis on hospital bed occupancy rates; and what assessment they have made of how fracture liaison services could mitigate those pressures.

Answer

Improving health outcomes for the 20 million people in the United Kingdom who live with a musculoskeletal condition, including osteoporosis, forms a key part of the Government’s missions to build a National Health Service fit for the future, cut waiting times, and kick-start economic growth.

Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) play an important role in fracture prevention, helping to prevent fragility fractures and support patients who sustain them. The Government has launched a public engagement exercise to help shape its 10-Year Health Plan, which will be underlined by three big shifts in healthcare, one of which is from treatment to prevention. Officials have been working closely with NHS England on how to ensure better quality and access to FLSs, including on how best to support systems.

The Government has not made a specific estimate or assessment of the cost savings, economic impacts, or hospital bed occupancy pressures referenced in the question.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL1821
Session: 2024-26
Grouped for answer: Yes
Subjects: Diagnosis Health services Hospital beds Fractures Osteoporosis
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Osteoporosis

Secondary information

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