Despite a series of pledges from the Government in recent months that more money would come in last week’s Autumn Statement, not a penny extra was given to halt the “silent epidemic” facing the UK.
The Sunday Express Better Bones campaign, in collaboration with the Royal Osteoporosis Society, has been calling for £30million of extra funding each year to be ploughed into fracture liaison services.
The campaign wants all over-50s to have access to the specialist bone clinics, which diagnose and treat the brittle bone disease.
Half of women and one in five men over 50 will get osteoporosis.
The degenerative condition leads to disability and even death if not treated.
Lord Black of Brentwood, whose mother suffered with the disease, has backed our fight. He said: “Like the Grand Old Duke of York, the Government has marched an army of vulnerable people to the top of the hill and shamefully marched them back down again. So many promises were made and now so many hopes were cruelly dashed.
“The decision not to include funding for fracture liaison services is callous and heartless. Tens of thousands of lives will be blighted by pain and disability as a result – and many lives will be put at risk. The Government must think again.”
Consultant rheumatologist Professor Emma Clark, said: “More broken promises means more ruined lives.
“Everyday we see the cost of preventable fractures on our wards, operating theatres and outpatients. We hoped the government would keep its word and take action, since sorting out the postcode lottery of fracture liaison services is vital. There is a real sense of betrayal in the clinical community.”
Damian Green, Tory MP for Ashford, said: “I was disappointed not to see an announcement in the Autumn Statement. I am determined to press ministers to meet their commitments on this vital matter.”
Phyll Taylor, ROS patient advocate, said: “The word that comes to mind is ‘futility’. Every time there’s been a commitment on osteoporosis we’ve been let down.”
“This betrayal is even harder to take given reports of impending tax cuts.”
The Better Bones camapaign has been backed by seven Royal medical colleges, 250 MPs and peers, medical unions, business leaders and a host of charities.
Osteoporosis not only destroys lives but costs the NHS and the economy, as people quit work or are off sick due to the illness.
Our proposed measures would save 8,000 lives over five years and cut NHS spending by £665million. We are also calling for a Fracture Tsar in each UK nation to oversee better osteoporosis care.
Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central, said: “What kind of message does this send to women about the value this government puts on their health?
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“Half of women over 50 will suffer fractures. Promises have been made, then life-saving funding diverted elsewhere at the last minute. Actions speak louder than words and this doesn’t look like a government committed to women’s health.”
ROS CEO Craig Jones said: “In August, Maria Caulfield promised an announcement by the end of the year.
On September 14 the Government promised in Parliament its Autumn Statement would include a package of measures to extend fracture liaison services.
“Thousands of people with osteoporosis and their doctors have held their breath.
“Since that promise, 400 people have already died from hip fractures which could have been prevented.
“We now see there is no package at all. The Government has broken its promise, undermining people’s trust and confidence in Parliament.
“We won’t stop campaigning until the promise is honoured.”
The Department of Health and Social Care said: “As part of our Major Conditions Strategy we’ll work with NHS England to explore supporting the provision of fracture liaison services.
“And through our Women’s Health Strategy, we aim to improve experiences for women with conditions that disproportionately affect them, like osteoporosis.”
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