On August 23rd, Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath, met with Craig Jones, CEO of the Royal Osteoporosis Society, at their charity headquarters in Bath. They discussed the urgent need to improve services for osteoporosis patients and promote early diagnosis of the disease.

Currently, many patients suffer multiple fractures before receiving a diagnosis of osteoporosis. The Royal Osteoporosis Society advocates universal Fracture Liaison Services, the world standard for early diagnosis, to prevent such cases. They also discussed the possibility of community diagnostic hubs housing these services.

The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust has a specialist fracture unit that is one of the best in the country. However, it is estimated that 90,000 people in the UK are missing out on a disease diagnosis. The charity believes early diagnosis could prevent one out of every ten hip fractures annually, an injury that takes up 1 million acute hospital days.

Mrs. Hobhouse also spoke with Julia Thomson, a ROS Helpline Nurse, about the importance of having adequate resources to monitor and support individuals taking medication for osteoporosis. The Bath MP learned that 80% of these individuals stop taking their medication, a significant challenge facing the NHS. 

Wales has already mandated nationwide fracture liaison services and the Royal Osteoporosis Society calls for England to follow suit. Seven Royal Medical Colleges support the proposal.

The charity believes improved services could save 1,500 fractures across Bath over the next five years. The Royal Osteoporosis Society will continue to push for better diagnosis and treatment options for patients with osteoporosis.

Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath, commented: "I am extremely impressed by the crucial work undertaken by the Royal Osteoporosis Society to improve services and advocate for early detection of this devastating condition.

“It is unacceptable that so many patients must suffer from multiple fractures before receiving a diagnosis of osteoporosis. The Society's call for widespread screening and better access to fracture liaison services is absolutely paramount in preventing such cases and saving lives.

“I wholeheartedly urge everyone to assess their risk of this condition without delay, and I'll certainly be doing so myself.”

Craig Jones, CEO of the Royal Osteoporosis Society, said: “Bath has a proud history when it comes to rheumatology and health, which is why we’re proud to be a Bath-based charity advocating for change on the national stage. 

“The support of our MP in calling for a universal mandate for Fracture Liaison Services is of huge encouragement because we know we have the chance here to prevent 74,000 fractures nationally by 2028 and release 750,000 hospital bed days, just when the NHS needs help recovering. I want to thank Wera for being such an engaged local MP”