Call for osteoporosis early diagnosis clinics

A woman from East Sussex who is living with osteoporosis is campaigning to end what she calls a "deadly postcode lottery" for NHS bone clinics.

Corinne Turnbull, from Hove, is among a group of campaigners travelling to the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool on Saturday to meet ministers and MPs.

They are calling on the government to honour a promise to roll out early diagnosis clinics.

The government said it remained committed to rolling out the service across England by 2030, as part of its ten-year health plan.

Turnbull was diagnosed with osteoporosis at 39, following a fall that resulted in the discovery of a pelvic fracture and seven spinal compression fractures.

She said: "My experience has made me passionate about improving understanding of osteoporosis and bone health.

"Too often osteoporosis is still perceived as an inevitable part of ageing or a condition affecting only older women. It isn't.

"Earlier awareness of risk factors, timely diagnosis, access to appropriate treatment and services such as Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) can make a profound difference to people's lives."

Equal access to FLS for all patients living in Surrey and Sussex would prevent 3,610 fractures, save 339 lives and £38m in NHS and social care costs, according to the Royal Osteoporosis Society.

The charity says half of NHS trusts in England do not have a FLS. There is no service in Brighton and Hove.

Ruth Wakeman, director at the Royal Osteoporosis Society, said: "The government has already promised to end the postcode lottery in osteoporosis care, but that commitment now needs to be matched by a practical plan for delivery.

"Fracture Liaison Services can prevent avoidable broken bones, keep people independent and save the NHS and social care money."

A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "We know osteoporosis can have a devastating impact on people's health, independence and quality of life.

"We are investing in 20 new state-of-the-art DEXA scanners, building on the 13 already being rolled out.

"These new machines will help diagnose fragile bones earlier and prevent painful, life-changing fractures."

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