That is absolutely key, as the noble Baroness says. We have to look at the way that we are working. I emphasise again that we are looking at how we can roll out the modern service framework, which will really push this forward. That will involve full consultation with the groups that the noble Baroness rightly mentioned. She spoke about funding. I cannot give specifics without knowing them, but we will be further delivering this already improved service, as well as taking other supportive actions. These include asking local authorities to include menopause in the NHS health check later this year, which will help greatly with earlier identification.

That is absolutely key, as the noble Baroness says. We have to look at the way that we are working. I emphasise again that we are looking at how we can roll out the modern service framework, which will really push this forward. That will involve full consultation with the groups that the noble Baroness rightly mentioned. She spoke about funding. I cannot give specifics without knowing them, but we will be further delivering this already improved service, as well as taking other supportive actions. These include asking local authorities to include menopause in the NHS health check later this year, which will help greatly with earlier identification.

My Lords, the noble Lord asks a very important Question. Can the National Health Service make sure that there is a checklist for all fractures, just as an aircraft pilot does when he is taking off? There are numerous examples in the NHS—I speak from personal experience—of patients not being screened for bacteria before they go down to theatre. That should be a routine check. Further, it is very common for patients to be discharged from hospital when there is a lack of liaison between the hospital and local services. Sometimes, a wound may not be dressed for several days until somebody visits, where there is a risk of bone infection. This is a very serious and common problem.

My Lords, the noble Lord asks a very important Question. Can the National Health Service make sure that there is a checklist for all fractures, just as an aircraft pilot does when he is taking off? There are numerous examples in the NHS—I speak from personal experience—of patients not being screened for bacteria before they go down to theatre. That should be a routine check. Further, it is very common for patients to be discharged from hospital when there is a lack of liaison between the hospital and local services. Sometimes, a wound may not be dressed for several days until somebody visits, where there is a risk of bone infection. This is a very serious and common problem.

I understand my noble friend’s point. He referred to checklists. Requirements are in place; I believe he is suggesting that they are not always followed, so I will certainly pick that up. As we move towards a neighbourhood health service, I feel ever more confident that we will attain the right standard of care, along with cutting waiting times. For example, we will make sure that, by 2028-29, for the first time, 80% of community health service activity should take place within 18 weeks. That has not been the case thus far.

I understand my noble friend’s point. He referred to checklists. Requirements are in place; I believe he is suggesting that they are not always followed, so I will certainly pick that up. As we move towards a neighbourhood health service, I feel ever more confident that we will attain the right standard of care, along with cutting waiting times. For example, we will make sure that, by 2028-29, for the first time, 80% of community health service activity should take place within 18 weeks. That has not been the case thus far.

My Lords, there seems to be a problem for men suffering from prostate cancer, who are also likely to get osteoporosis. Last week, my noble friend and I heard from a consultant neurologist who said that there is not a joined-up approach going back to primary care. The GP should be aware that these people are more likely to have

fractures, but they are quite often having these fractures without having been told that that is a possibility, and they are not then getting the care that they need. We need a bit more joined-up thinking, if that is possible.

My Lords, there seems to be a problem for men suffering from prostate cancer, who are also likely to get osteoporosis. Last week, my noble friend and I heard from a consultant neurologist who said that there is not a joined-up approach going back to primary care. The GP should be aware that these people are more likely to have

fractures, but they are quite often having these fractures without having been told that that is a possibility, and they are not then getting the care that they need. We need a bit more joined-up thinking, if that is possible.

I understand that point well and I am grateful to the noble Baroness for raising it with me separately. Similar to my response to my noble friend, I will gladly follow that up.

I understand that point well and I am grateful to the noble Baroness for raising it with me separately. Similar to my response to my noble friend, I will gladly follow that up.

My noble friend Lord Black specifically asked about fracture liaison services implementation plans, timelines and milestones on progress towards universal coverage in 2030, to which the Government have committed. To double-check, does the Minister agree with the principle that there should be a published implementation plan, and that timelines should be published and annual milestones set?

My noble friend Lord Black specifically asked about fracture liaison services implementation plans, timelines and milestones on progress towards universal coverage in 2030, to which the Government have committed. To double-check, does the Minister agree with the principle that there should be a published implementation plan, and that timelines should be published and annual milestones set?

I am sure noble Lords would welcome that, and I have heard that call in here, but the noble Lord will know that that is not something we do with every single policy; rather, we take the steps to actually make them happen. The commitment and progress are there, and that will continue.

I am sure noble Lords would welcome that, and I have heard that call in here, but the noble Lord will know that that is not something we do with every single policy; rather, we take the steps to actually make them happen. The commitment and progress are there, and that will continue.

My Lords, unfortunately, at the moment, progress has almost flatlined—I think it will take 38 years to get to the 2030 target. My noble friend said to me on 9 June that the Government have not set milestones. If there are not such milestones as those just referred to, how is the department monitoring this, and will it speed up to reach its own target?

My Lords, unfortunately, at the moment, progress has almost flatlined—I think it will take 38 years to get to the 2030 target. My noble friend said to me on 9 June that the Government have not set milestones. If there are not such milestones as those just referred to, how is the department monitoring this, and will it speed up to reach its own target?

As I have said, delivery will be through ICBs. Of the new clusters, we know that only two do not have fracture liaison services. As my noble friend is very aware, ICBs are held to account through NHS England. Of course, when we make a change through the NHS Bill, that will come within the department. There are many ways we drive progress, including cutting waiting times, opening new community diagnostic centres, investing in DEXA scanners and upping the game on osteoporosis screening, as well as on medication and research. In all these ways, we are contributing to the development of the service that I know my noble friend seeks.

As I have said, delivery will be through ICBs. Of the new clusters, we know that only two do not have fracture liaison services. As my noble friend is very aware, ICBs are held to account through NHS England. Of course, when we make a change through the NHS Bill, that will come within the department. There are many ways we drive progress, including cutting waiting times, opening new community diagnostic centres, investing in DEXA scanners and upping the game on osteoporosis screening, as well as on medication and research. In all these ways, we are contributing to the development of the service that I know my noble friend seeks.

We have rolled this out further, as we inherited a more limited coverage of fracture liaison services than we have currently, and we are looking at how to improve access. As I said to the noble Lord, 23 out of 25 ICBs have at least one fracture liaison service. We will push this forward

through various means, including the Best Practice Guide for NHS Frailty Pathways, which recommends comprehensive neighbourhood-level frailty plans, and the modern service framework, to mention a couple of ways. I have to emphasise that this is about a complete change in the delivery of NHS services, from which fracture liaison will greatly benefit.

We have rolled this out further, as we inherited a more limited coverage of fracture liaison services than we have currently, and we are looking at how to improve access. As I said to the noble Lord, 23 out of 25 ICBs have at least one fracture liaison service. We will push this forward

through various means, including the Best Practice Guide for NHS Frailty Pathways, which recommends comprehensive neighbourhood-level frailty plans, and the modern service framework, to mention a couple of ways. I have to emphasise that this is about a complete change in the delivery of NHS services, from which fracture liaison will greatly benefit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to publish the implementation plan for delivering the Government's commitment to provide universal access to Fracture Liaison Services across England by 2030.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to publish the implementation plan for delivering the Government's commitment to provide universal access to Fracture Liaison Services across England by 2030.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress has been made towards delivering the Government's commitment to provide universal access to Fracture Liaison Services by 2030; and when he plans to publish a timetable setting out the key milestones for implementation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress has been made towards delivering the Government's commitment to provide universal access to Fracture Liaison Services by 2030; and when he plans to publish a timetable setting out the key milestones for implementation.

To ask His Majesty's Government how many fracture liaison services have been established since July 2024.

To ask His Majesty's Government how many fracture liaison services have been established since July 2024.

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of deaths each year following fractures.

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of deaths each year following fractures.

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the need for annual milestones for the rollout of Fracture Liaison Services to all areas of England by 2030; and whether any such milestones have been set.

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the need for annual milestones for the rollout of Fracture Liaison Services to all areas of England by 2030; and whether any such milestones have been set.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make Fracture Liaison Services a mandated service for Integrated Care Boards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make Fracture Liaison Services a mandated service for Integrated Care Boards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what comparative assessment he has made of England’s progress in providing universal access to Fracture Liaison Services with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland's.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what comparative assessment he has made of England’s progress in providing universal access to Fracture Liaison Services with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland's.

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether full coverage of fracture liaison services across England by 2030 is deliverable without additional funding; and what assumptions they made in that assessment.

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether full coverage of fracture liaison services across England by 2030 is deliverable without additional funding; and what assumptions they made in that assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the progress towards improving consistency of access to Fracture Liaison Services; and what steps he is taking to support the development and implementation of plans to achieve comprehensive national coverage...

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the progress towards improving consistency of access to Fracture Liaison Services; and what steps he is taking to support the development and implementation of plans to achieve comprehensive national coverage...

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his Department has made on (a) developing and (b) publishing a national implementation plan for Fracture Liaison Services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his Department has made on (a) developing and (b) publishing a national implementation plan for Fracture Liaison Services.