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Osteoporosis Target at Risk: Medics Warn Government
22 Feb
Summary
- UK may miss 2030 brittle-bone clinic pledge without swift action.
- Over 3.5 million people in the UK have osteoporosis, mostly women.
- Charities estimate millions saved by early detection, preventing deaths.

The UK government's commitment to delivering nationwide brittle-bone clinics by 2030 is in jeopardy, according to leading medical professionals. Urgent intervention is required to prevent a breach of this critical pledge. Over 3.5 million individuals in the UK are affected by osteoporosis, with a significant majority being women who often receive a diagnosis only after sustaining a fracture.
The Royal Osteoporosis Society estimates that 2,500 lives are lost each year due to preventable hip fractures. Health Secretary Wes Streeting had previously promised universal fracture liaison services by 2030, a commitment also included in the NHS ten-year plan. However, the Society of Radiographers has voiced concerns about the slow pace of implementation.
Society president Katie Thompson warned that without the rollout commencing by summer 2026, the 2030 deadline will become unachievable. She emphasized that establishing these clinics requires substantial time for planning and staffing, including the radiography workforce. The Department of Health reiterated its commitment to the 2030 target, but the call for a published rollout plan remains pressing.




