Bosses from Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System said getting serious about bone health will not only enable patients to continue their normal lives but also ensure better use of NHS resources.
It has ended the postcode lottery and boosted services in its region by committing to give everyone access to specialist clinics called Fracture Liaison Services. The move, costing £350,000, will prevent hundreds of osteoporosis-related fractures each year and “unlock gains worth millions”, say experts.
These clinics diagnose osteoporosis and prescribe medication that can halt the brittle-bone disease. Without detection and treatment, it can lead to disability and even death.
The Sunday Express and Royal Osteoporosis Society is campaigning for improvements in prevention and care, and has been backed by senior Conservative Damian Green.
In an online video, the MP for Ashford and former deputy PM to Theresa May, said: “I am very pleased to support the Sunday Express campaign to make sure that we treat osteoporosis better. It’s an increasingly important and damaging disease, and if we spent something like £40million on Fracture Liaison Clinics, then we would save millions more.
“It would also make sure that people who do have a fall can recover fully and lead a full life. It’s a very important campaign for millions.”.
The team from Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System also praised the campaign, saying: “It has been really powerful. It is helping to do what we want to do in the NHS – shift towards prevention.”
Each year in the region there are around 1,800 to 2,000 hip fractures. Assistant medical director Dr Peter Scolding said: “We’re hoping we’ll save at least 500 fractures each year. That’s a huge impact for those who have them and their families.
“For us, it also means all the care and resources that would have gone to look after those people could now be re-purposed to other things.”
The integrated care system, which delivers joined-up health and care services, is investing the money upfront to save it down the line.
The ROS says there is a return on investment of £3.26 for every £1 spent on the clinics.
The Better Bones campaign is calling on the Government to invest an extra £30million a year to improve the quality and coverage of services.
We are also calling for all over-50s to have access to bone specialists at these clinics, and for a Fracture Tsar in each of the four nations.
We have won the backing of 240 MPs and peers, charities, medical unions and business leaders. More than 800 doctors have signed a letter calling for the changes.
Craig Jones, of the ROS, praised the team from Mid and South Essex, adding: “But 41 other health authorities have yet to act, which is why we need a mandate from Government.”