Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have plans to set up an expert steering group on fracture liaison services.

The Government recognises the value of quality-assured secondary fracture prevention services, including fracture liaison services (FLS). Over 3 million people are estimated to have osteoporosis in the United Kingdom, and over 500,000 patients present with fragility fractures to hospitals each year.

On the 24 January 2023, we announced our plan to publish the Major Conditions Strategy: Case for change and our strategic framework. This strategy will explore how we can tackle the key drivers of ill-health in England, reduce pressure on the National Health Service and reduce ill-health related labour market inactivity. The strategy will focus on six major groups of conditions including musculoskeletal conditions, such as osteoporosis. Aligning work across several groups of conditions will allow us to focus on where there are similarities in approach and ensure care is better centred around the patient.

As per the strategy, the Government will, together with NHS England, explore supporting the provision of fracture liaison services. This includes ongoing engagement with NHS England on musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoporosis as well as preventative interventions such as FLS. In addition, we engage with a range of groups and organisations across musculoskeletal conditions and those with lived experience.