Labour's Shadow Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, has pledged to increase the number of bone density scans by 15,000 annually to improve early detection and treatment of osteoporosis. This initiative aims to ensure faster diagnosis and reduce the backlog of patients waiting for Dexa scans, which assess bone strength.
Streeting's commitment follows both the Conservative and Labour parties' recent acknowledgement of the necessity for Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) across England, driven by campaigns from newspapers and the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS). Currently, more than 37,000 patients are waiting for Dexa scans, and two-thirds are missing out on essential treatment.
Streeting highlighted personal experiences and stressed the importance of nationwide FLS, asserting that earlier diagnosis leads to more effective treatment and improved patient outcomes. Craig Jones of the ROS welcomed the pledge but noted the need to expand scanner access in underserved areas. Streeting's plan includes providing scans during evenings and weekends to address the treatment backlog efficiently.