Royal Osteoporosis Society warns of preventable deaths from diagnosis delays
The Royal Osteoporosis Society has warned that delays in rolling out early diagnosis clinics for osteoporosis in England are leading to preventable deaths.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The Royal Osteoporosis Society has warned that delays in rolling out early diagnosis clinics for osteoporosis in England are leading to preventable deaths. The charity said the diagnosis rate for the condition is flatlining, despite repeated government promises to improve treatment.
Osteoporosis affects around 3.5 million people in the UK, and half of all women over the age of 50. The charity estimates that unless action is taken, there could be more than 40,000 preventable deaths and 146,000 preventable hip fractures among those with the condition.
At current rates, it could take 38 years for the government to meet its promise of guaranteeing equal access to fracture liaison services across England, a target that was supposed to be achieved by 2030. The Royal Osteoporosis Society said ministers have pledged in parliament 85 times to start the rollout, but it has not begun.
In contrast, the Welsh government made a similar pledge in 2024 and immediately implemented the clinics. The treatment rate in Wales has since doubled, with thousands of people now preventing hip fractures.
The Department of Health and Social Care said the government remains committed to rolling out fracture liaison services by 2030 as part of its 10-year health plan. It pointed to investment in 20 state-of-the-art DEXA scanners across the country to help diagnose fragile bones earlier. However, the charity argued that only five of those scanners are new, and that the real need is for early diagnosis clinics in every NHS trust. Half of areas in England currently lack such clinics.
Craig Jones from the Royal Osteoporosis Society said people with osteoporosis feel they have been abandoned, and called on ministers to publish a timetable for the rollout. He noted that for many patients, lifestyle changes such as weight-bearing exercise, calcium, and vitamin D are not enough, and they need access to medication to prevent fractures that can occur from coughs, sneezes, or even hugs.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| At current rates, it would take 38 years to meet the government's 2030 promise on equal access to clinics. | |
| Osteoporosis diagnosis rate in England is flatlining despite government promises. | |
| Royal Osteoporosis Society estimates 40,000 preventable deaths and 146,000 preventable hip fractures unless action is taken. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The report focused heavily on the Royal Osteoporosis Society's criticism of government inaction, highlighting the 'postcode lottery' for patients and the contrast with Wales, where a similar pledge was delivered quickly. The tone was urgent and critical, with the presenter pressing the charity's representative on the repeated broken promises. The segment also included practical advice for viewers on prevention, but stressed that medication is essential for those with severe osteoporosis.
- “The Royal Osteoporosis Society warned there could be more than 40,000 preventable deaths of those with the condition unless something changes.”
- “They say 146,000 patients may suffer preventable hip fractures.”
- “And what we're asking ministers is, please have an honest conversation with us about whether or not you're gonna carry through this promise and deliver these clinics by 2030.”
Broadcast Timeline
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