Sunday Express launches the Better Bones campaign

Today (Sunday 25 June) our Better Bones campaign launches with the Sunday Express, calling on the Government to ensure 100% access to Fracture Liaison Services (FLS).

The Better Bones campaign is calling for:

• A mandate from Government that everyone over 50 should be covered by a quality FLS
• £30m per year additional investment in FLS to fill the gaps in population coverage and quality
• A national Clinical Director to lead the change

In England and Wales, only half (51%) of NHS trusts have a FLS, the gold standard for systematically identifying, accessing, and treating anyone who breaks a bone after age 50. Improved access to DXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) scanning, which measures bone density, and support around drug treatments through an FLS can help to reduce the risk of further fractures.

This means 90,000 people are missing out on vital osteoporosis treatment and at risk of further fractures simply because of their postcode.

We're calling on the Government to ensure 100% access to FLS in England, meaning equal access to vital osteoporosis treatment and care. This will be in line with Scotland and Northern Ireland who currently have 100% FLS coverage. The Welsh government recently committed to delivering 100% FLS coverage. It is time for Westminster to do the same.

Getting Fracture Liaison Services included in Government policy will give us the best chance of ending the unfair postcode lottery and changing lives.

While the campaign is running over the next six weeks, the Sunday Express will cover osteoporosis and the need for quality FLS in the newspaper and on its website, featuring interviews with experts, Ambassadors and people living with the condition, alongside data and insights about the postcode lottery for FLS.

You’ll see updates about the campaign as it progresses on our social media (@royalosteosoc).

Find out more about the campaign.

We need your help

You can help support the campaign and improve our chances of success by writing to your MP or other elected official. If you’re a healthcare professional, you can also support the campaign by signing our letter.

If you have any questions or feedback about the campaign, please email media@theros.org.uk