Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced funding for new bone scanners (Image: Getty)
Nearly 30,000 extra scans for osteoporosis and other threats to bones will be able to be carried as a result of a £2million investment in new technology.
More than 56,000 people are waiting for a “dexa” scan to measure their bone density and it is hoped the new scanners will stop lives being ruined by debilitating conditions.
The announcement comes as the Sunday Express fights for an end to the postcode lottery which means across the UK miss out on osteoporosis diagnoses with devastating results.
Campaigners want the Government to deliver on its pledge that “fracture liaison services” – which would test anyone with a fracture for dangerous conditions – will be available in all areas of England by 2030.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “As the Sunday Express campaign has shown, painful and debilitating fractures can be life-altering. That is why this Government is spearheading the battle against cruel conditions like osteoporosis.
“We are funding the roll-out of vital cutting-edge scanners so more patients are diagnosed earlier and treated quicker.
“Through our plan for change we will cut waiting lists and end hospital backlogs, including for fracture patients, so more people get their lives back.”
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More than three million people are estimated to have osteoporosis in the UK and there is concern that “up to 40% of fracture patients will suffer another fracture”.
The Department of Health aims to ramp up scanning capacity to “patients are diagnosed faster, treated sooner and supported to live their lives to the full”.
However, there will be major disappointment if Mr Streeting does not instruct NHS trusts to roll-out fracture liaison services in imminent planning guidance. There is worry that without expertise in place the health service will not make full use of scanners.
Craig Jones, chief executive of the Royal Osteoporosis Society, said: “We welcome all investments in tackling osteoporosis.
“These 28 new scanners honour one of Labour’s election promises, which was to enable 15,000 extra bone scans, and we thank ministers.
“But there’s been silence and uncertainty regarding the much bigger promise to voters, which was that the nationwide expansion of fracture liaison services would be one of the Health Secretary’s first acts in post.”
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He said that having the scanners without the services in place was like having “a smartphone without internet connection”.
“We can’t do the job of preventing 74,000 fractures by the next election without the promised investment in all the elements of these fracture clinics – including the staff to run them and the drug therapies to fix people’s bones,” he said.
“This month the Health Secretary will decide on his NHS priorities for the year. It’s essential that the FLS promise is amongst them, so Trusts will be tasked with setting up these clinics.
“If that doesn’t happen then this year, and every year, we’ll see 2,500 deaths from preventable hip fractures.”