A warning from experts highlights the risk faced by hundreds of thousands of post-menopausal women due to delays in implementing NHS osteoporosis checks. The Royal Osteoporosis Society reveals that a government promise to increase screenings for the bone-thinning condition has not been fulfilled, resulting in about 200,000 undiagnosed cases annually. Osteoporosis, which affects half of women over 50 and one in five men, ranks as the UK’s fourth leading cause of disability and premature death.
Statistics show that 2,000 individuals lose their lives each year following preventable hip fractures, underscoring the necessity for a comprehensive Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) in all NHS trusts. Currently, only half of these trusts have FLS, which identifies at-risk patients and provides treatments to enhance bone strength and physiotherapy sessions.
Former health secretary Wes Streeting had pledged to prioritize the establishment of FLS nationwide upon Labour’s assumption of power in 2024. Recent data from the national Fracture Liaison Service audit indicates a marginal increase in identified patients in England in 2025 compared to the previous year. However, the Society asserts that these services should be identifying a significantly higher number of patients annually.
Craig Jones, the Royal Osteoporosis Society’s CEO, expressed concern over the stagnation in osteoporosis diagnosis rates in England and urged transparency from government officials regarding the promised clinic expansions. Osteoporosis, characterized by bone density reduction during menopause due to declining estrogen levels, affects an estimated 3.5 million people in the UK and is often diagnosed post-bone fracture incidents.
Despite the government’s commitment to introduce fracture liaison services by 2030, the current focus includes investing in additional DEXA scanners across the country to aid in early detection of fragile bones and prevent debilitating fractures, particularly among older individuals and women disproportionately impacted by osteoporosis.
The call for immediate action to fulfill the promise of expanded osteoporosis care and the implementation of an implementation plan in England before the parliamentary recess emphasizes the urgency of addressing this critical healthcare issue.
