£200m care bill linked to 'preventable fractures'

TAXPAYERS face a £200million bill for avoidable care costsunless ministers urgently roll out lifesaving bone clinics across England.

- BY LUCY JOHNSTON Social Affairs Editor

Figures reveal the shocking price of inaction, with experts warning the NHS and social care system are being crippled by preventable fractures linked to osteoporosis. Campaigners warn that failing to end a deadly postcode lottery for early diagnosis and treatment clinics called Fracture Liaison Services is piling pressure on stretched services and forcing thousands into care unnecessarily.

Experts say nearly £200million will be spent on avoidable social care costs by 2030 if urgent action is not taken. That includes more than £132million in care home costs and a further £65million on home support all driven by fractures that could have been prevented.

The bill dwarfs the cost of setting up a nationwide network of Fracture Liaison Services.