Home / Health / Fracture Crisis: 17,000 Preventable Injuries Claimed
Fracture Crisis: 17,000 Preventable Injuries Claimed
22 Mar
Summary
- 17,000 preventable fractures occurred due to delayed clinics.
- Charities urge government to publish a vital delivery plan.
- Around 2,000 people die annually from preventable hip fractures.
Thousands of Britons have sustained severe fractures because of a stalled rollout of essential osteoporosis clinics. The Royal Osteoporosis Society estimates that 17,000 preventable fractures have occurred due to the failure to implement fracture liaison services (FLS).
A coalition of charities, business leaders, and women's groups has signed an open letter demanding the nationwide delivery of FLS. They remind the Health Secretary of his pre-election commitment to establish these services by 2030, warning that time is running out to publish the necessary delivery plan.
These delays have dire consequences, with around 2,000 individuals dying each year from preventable hip fractures. Despite 61 commitments in Parliament and media appearances, a concrete plan remains elusive. The Department of Health states commitment to the 2030 rollout and is investing in new DEXA scanners.
