A damning parliamentary inquiry has found that the NHS is failing osteoporosis patients, with many diagnosed via text message and then 'forgotten' by the health service. The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on osteoporosis and bone health reported that only 34% of eligible patients receive medication to prevent fractures, exposing a 'deep, structural failure' in care.
The inquiry, which surveyed over 3,300 patients, found that more than half had not been contacted by a healthcare professional about their condition in the past year, while 23% had not heard from anyone in over three years. Fewer than a third (30%) were satisfied with how their osteoporosis is monitored, with satisfaction rates far lower in deprived areas (28%) compared to wealthier ones (50%).
One patient, Julie, aged 63, told MPs her GP gave her an 'osteoporosis diagnosis by text' and advised her to 'check the internet for information'. Another patient, Sarah, 62, diagnosed in 2025, said she received the news over the phone from a clinical pharmacist with no in-depth advice, contrasting it with her well-managed asthma care.
The APPG highlighted a 'sense of abandonment' due to lack of clinical ownership, with half of integrated care boards and health boards lacking a defined osteoporosis care pathway. Experts condemned the 'reactive rather than preventative' approach, noting that most patients are diagnosed only after a fracture, costing the NHS significant sums.
MP Sonia Kumar, chair of the APPG, called the situation a 'health emergency', urging a 'bold, population-wide approach' using technology and proactive risk checks. The group recommends new care pathways, personalised management plans, and adding bone health questions to NHS Health Checks for those over 40.
Craig Jones, chief executive of the Royal Osteoporosis Society, said the inquiry lays bare a systemic failure, not a niche issue. Osteoporosis affects over 3.5 million people in the UK, weakening bones and increasing fracture risk from falls or even coughs and sneezes.
