100 promises. Still no plan

Government has not delivered on Fracture Liaison Service commitment repeated 100 times

The Government has now made 100 promises to end the postcode lottery for Fracture Liaison Services in England. Yet, more than two years after the first pledge, patients are still waiting.

Ministers have not set out how they will deliver universal access to these NHS early diagnosis and treatment clinics for osteoporosis.

Only around half of the country is served by a Fracture Liaison Service (FLS).

This World Osteoporosis Day (October 20^th), campaigners are urging the Government to publish an implementation plan. Experts have warned the roll-out should have started this year, due to the scale and complexity of delivering so many clinics in a short timeframe.

Ruth Wakeman: Director at the Royal Osteoporosis Society, said: “The Government has now promised more than 100 times to make fracture prevention services universally available by 2030. But publishing a commitment is not the same as delivering it. Words in a strategy do not mean the job is done. Delivery requires clear milestones and proper accountability.

“Fracture prevention services are exactly the kind of reform the Government wants to see: prevention, fewer avoidable hospital admissions and less pressure on the NHS and social care. Yet more than two years after the promise was first made, millions of people are still missing out, and the Government is not on course to meet its own 2030 commitment.

“The destination is clear. The Government now needs to start the journey, with a credible route for getting there.”

The ROS campaign secured a cross-party commitment in 2024 to roll-out FLS across all parts of England by 2030. The campaign is backed by an army of Parliamentarians, businesses, charities, unions, medical royal colleges and healthcare professionals.

The commitment is enshrined in the NHS 10 Year Plan and the Women’s Health Strategy. It was lauded as a ‘first act in post’ if Labour won the election.

FLS diagnose and treat osteoporosis early in people over 50. Following the first fracture, patients are referred to an FLS and put on a pathway to diagnosis, treatment and regular monitoring to ensure they adhere to treatment. Without early diagnosis people with osteoporosis continue to suffer devastating broken bones, such as spine and hip fractures.

FLS produce substantial savings to the NHS and councils. If everyone in England had access to high-quality FLS, 74,000 fractures would be prevented, including 31,000 hip fractures, over five years. This would save the NHS £665m and release 750,000 bed days. For every £1 spend on FLS, £1.88 is saved by the NHS.