England 'left behind' over new bone clinics

ENGLAND has been left behind in the race for Better Bones — with Wales, New Zealand and Japan rolling out specialist clinics to end a postcode lottery for osteoporosis care.

- By Lucy Johnston SOCIAL AFFAIRS EDITOR

These clinics, called Fracture Liaison Services (FLS), the global “gold standard” for tackling the bone weakening condition, were created in the UK 25 years ago.

But today only half of NHS trusts in England offer this life-saving service, with not a single new FLS delivered since a Government’s pledge a year ago to make them universal by 2030.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting committed to rolling out clinics nationwide after the Sunday Express Better Bones campaign, in conjunction with the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS).

Craig Jones, ROS chief executive, said: “The examples of New Zealand, Japan and Wales show what can be achieved in extending these early diagnosis services to everyone in need over a short period.