Taxpayers 'to foot £104m bill for SNP osteo waiting list'

MORE Scots are breaking their bones because the SNP is lagging behind England and Wales on the early diagnosis of osteoporosis.

- By David Walker

The Scottish Government has refused to approve a national roll-out of lifesaving bone clinics, instead claiming an audit is needed instead.

Campaigners have warned that more people will suffer fractures unless the government acts.

There has also been an increase in broken hips and these are potentially deadly if not treated properly or if the patient is a vulnerable person.

While Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) are being rolled out across the rest of the UK, they are restricted to a number of regions in Scotland.

FLS offers early diagnosis of osteoporosis, which is one of the top drivers of disability and early death among older people north of the Border.