Bone health at breaking point in ministers' own back yards

'Lack of local fracture clinics puts residents' lives at risk'

- By Jaymi McCann

PEOPLE living in the constituencies of England's most senior health ministers are at risk of life-limiting or fatal fractures.

Residents of Ilford North, East London, whose MP is Health Secretary Wes Streeting, do not have access to specialist bone clinics — Fracture Liaison Services — for early diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.

The Royal Osteoporosis Society has calculated that in the area covered by the North East London Integrated Care Board, which covers Mr Streeting's constituency, universal FLS would, over five years, prevent 1,400 fragility fractures, save 140 lives, free up more than 11,000 acute hospital bed days, and save more than £16million for local health and social care services.