The Royal Osteoporosis Society has warned that delays in rolling out NHS osteoporosis checks are leaving hundreds of thousands of post-menopausal women vulnerable to life-changing bone fractures. The charity says a broken government promise to expand screening means diagnoses are flatlining, with around 200,000 people a year going undiagnosed.
Half of women over 50 and one in five men will break a bone due to osteoporosis, which is the UK’s fourth biggest cause of disability and early death. The society estimates that 2,000 people die annually following hip fractures that could be prevented by a Fracture Liaison Service (FLS), but only half of NHS trusts currently have one.
What Is a Fracture Liaison Service?
An FLS screens hospital patients likely to have osteoporosis and prescribes drugs to strengthen bones, along with physiotherapy sessions. Former health secretary Wes Streeting promised before the 2024 election that Labour would roll out FLS to all trusts as one of its first acts in government. However, new analysis of the national FLS audit shows only 79,553 patients were identified by FLS in England in 2025, up from 77,136 in 2024. The society says these services should be identifying 264,000 patients a year.
Government Response and Criticism
Craig Jones, chief executive of the Royal Osteoporosis Society, said: “Today's figures show England is flatlining on osteoporosis diagnosis. Ministers in Whitehall owe it to people to be honest about whether and how they are going to implement their promise to roll out these clinics to every area.” He added: “At the current pace, we won't see this pledge fulfilled until 2064 - eight general elections' time. Ministers have promised this roll-out 85 times, but a pledge on paper saves no lives at all.”
Streeting has since been replaced as Health Secretary by James Murray. Jones called on Murray to publish an implementation plan before Parliament’s summer recess, noting that Wales already offers such life-saving care.
Impact of Osteoporosis
During menopause, oestrogen levels drop, reducing bone density and leading to osteoporosis. An estimated 3.5 million people in the UK have the condition, which develops slowly and is often only diagnosed after a fracture, commonly of the hip, wrist, or spine. Fractures can cause loss of independence and have a life-changing impact.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “This Government remains committed to rolling out fracture liaison services by 2030, as set out in our 10 Year Health Plan and the Women's Health Strategy. But we're also taking action in the meantime by investing in 20 new state-of-the-art DEXA scanners across the country, building on the first wave of 13 last year. These new machines will help diagnose fragile bones earlier and prevent painful, life-changing fractures - particularly among older people and women, who are disproportionately affected by osteoporosis.”
