A growing army of MPs, Peers, medics, charities and business leaders are backing our fight to end the death and disability caused by osteoporosis.
Since its launch in June, the Sunday Express Better Bones campaign has triggered an overwhelming response, with 236 politicians joining forces with us to demand action. And 791 medics have signed an open letter calling for change.
This week the Federation of Small Businesses also pledged its support, saying preventative measures against the “silent bone disease” would boost the UK’s “economic vitality” by keeping people in work.
Many of the UK’s leading charities have also come out in support, including Parkinson’s UK and Coeliac UK.
The Sunday Express has teamed up with the Royal Osteoporosis Society to launch the Better Bones campaign.
It is calling for an extra £30million in funding each year to improve the quality and coverage of specialist fracture centres – known as Fracture Liaison Clinics.
A “postcode lottery” means some areas of the UK are not covered, and others are lacking in resources.
We are calling for all over-50s to have access to the dedicated bone specialists at these clinics, and for a Fracture Tsar to be appointed to each British nation.
This package of measures would save 8,000 lives over five years and cut NHS spending by £665million. Some 3.5 million people in the UK suffer with the condition, but most are undiagnosed. If undetected, osteoporosis leads to bone fractures.
Half of women and a fifth of men over 50 will suffer a fracture due to osteoporosis. One in four who suffers a hip fracture dies in a year.
The Federation’s Tina McKenzie said: “This is more than a health initiative – it’s a matter of economic vitality. We need to address the increased numbers of those who have left the workforce as employees, self-employed or small business owners themselves due to sickness. This campaign is one of those steps.”
Andrew Selous, Conservative MP for SW Bedfordshire, said: “I fully support the campaign. It can play a serious role in helping the Prime Minister deliver on his key pledge of cutting NHS waiting times.
“Breaking a bone is the second highest cause of adults occupying emergency beds.
“Half a million people suffer fractures every year, requiring valuable A&E, operation time, rehabilitation and social care.
“Fracture Liaison Clinics can diagnose people early, so people’s first break can be their last. Saving 750,000 bed days would be an enormous boost for the NHS.”
Dr Rowan Wathes from Parkinson’s UK, said: “People with Parkinson’s are twice as likely to have osteoporosis and fractures, yet our data shows only 60 per cent of
people are assessed for fracture risk.”
Hilary Croft, of Coeliac UK, said: “Not many people are aware that osteoporosis is a possible complication of undiagnosed or untreated coeliac disease.
“We strongly support the Better Bones campaign raising awareness and improving care for this important subject.”
And former culture secretary Lord Chris Smith said: “Far too many fractures happen as people get older that could be prevented. Let’s do better than this.