Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of delayed osteoporosis diagnosis on hospital bed occupancy rates; and what assessment they have made of how fracture liaison services could mitigate those pressures.

Improving health outcomes for the 20 million people in the United Kingdom who live with a musculoskeletal condition, including osteoporosis, forms a key part of the Government’s missions to build a National Health Service fit for the future, cut waiting times, and kick-start economic growth.

Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) play an important role in fracture prevention, helping to prevent fragility fractures and support patients who sustain them. The Government has launched a public engagement exercise to help shape its 10-Year Health Plan, which will be underlined by three big shifts in healthcare, one of which is from treatment to prevention. Officials have been working closely with NHS England on how to ensure better quality and access to FLSs, including on how best to support systems.

The Government has not made a specific estimate or assessment of the cost savings, economic impacts, or hospital bed occupancy pressures referenced in the question.