Fracture Liaison Services

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town Excerpts

Monday 6th July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I am sure noble Lords would welcome that, and I have heard that call in here, but the noble Lord will know that that is not something we do with every single policy; rather, we take the steps to actually make them happen. The commitment and progress are there, and that will continue.

[Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Lab)]

My Lords, unfortunately, at the moment, progress has almost flatlined—I think it will take 38 years to get to the 2030 target. My noble friend said to me on 9 June that the Government have not set milestones. If there are not such milestones as those just referred to, how is the department monitoring this, and will it speed up to reach its own target?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

As I have said, delivery will be through ICBs. Of the new clusters, we know that only two do not have fracture liaison services. As my noble friend is very aware, ICBs are held to account through NHS England. Of course, when we make a change through the NHS Bill, that will come within the department. There are many ways we drive progress, including cutting waiting times, opening new community diagnostic centres, investing in DEXA scanners and upping the game on osteoporosis screening, as well as on medication and research. In all these ways, we are contributing to the development of the service that I know my noble friend seeks.