Thousands of hospital beds could be freed up if Health Secretary Wes Streeting delivers on his promise to fund screening clinics for a bone-thinning disease, a study has shown.
During the General Election campaign, Mr Streeting told this newspaper that one of his first acts in Government would be to task NHS England with a ‘rollout plan’.
This would give every part of the country access to Fracture Liaison Services (FLS), the gold standard in early diagnosis of osteoporosis.
Now analysis by the Royal Osteoporosis Society shows 36,000 hospital beds could be available every winter by fulfilling the pledge.
Research suggests this would be enough to deliver an extra 7,000 surgeries and slash waiting lists.
Osteoporosis affects more than 3.5 million in the UK but many do not realise they have it until they break a bone, by which time it is too late for preventative treatment.
FLS aims to predict bone breaks earlier in patients’ lives with a bone-density test called a DEXA scan. If signs of osteoporosis are spotted, patients can be given bone-preserving drugs sooner, leading to fewer fractures.
However, only half of hospital trusts offer the service, meaning millions miss out on screening.
Thousands of hospital beds could be freed up if Health Secretary Wes Streeting delivers on his promise to fund screening clinics for osteoporosis, a study has shown (Stock image)
Mr Streeting (pictured) previously told this newspaper that one of his first acts in Government would be to task NHS England with a ‘rollout plan’
The Mail on Sunday launched a campaign last year to expand FLS to every part of England, backed by the Royal Osteoporosis Society.
It was spearheaded by the Mail’s Business Editor Ruth Sunderland after her osteoporosis diagnosis.
Studies show without Government action, people with osteoporosis will suffer 74,000 preventable fractures by 2030, including 31,000 life-threatening hip fractures.
This will take up 750,000 bed days, hitting hopes of reducing waiting lists. Universal FLS will save the NHS £440 million over five years.
‘Throughout winter, thousands will end up in hospital with fractures which could have been prevented, including life-threatening hip fractures,’ says Craig Jones, chief executive of the Royal Osteoporosis Society.
‘The earlier we start the rollout, the more bed days will be released and the greater the reduction in waiting lists.’
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘We will expand access to Fracture Liaison Services, deliver 40,000 more appointments a week, and boost the capacity of diagnostic scanners as part of £1.5 billion of capital investment announced at the October Budget.’
