Thank you for contacting me about osteoporosis.
I appreciate that this can be a debilitating and difficult condition to live with and I pay tribute to groups such as the Royal Osteoporosis Society for the support they provide and their important work to raise awareness.
As you state in your email, Osteoporosis is one of the most urgent threats to living well in later life, with half of women over 50, and a fifth of men, in Wales suffering from osteoporotic fractures. This is extremely concerning as these injuries impact people’s freedom, quality of life and independence, along with costing the Welsh NHS.
I understand that there are around 95 Fracture Liaison Services across England and Wales, and although Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are able to refer patients to liaison services beyond their area, up to two-thirds of people with osteoporosis in Wales are still missing out on the treatment they require.
Having been a devolved matter in Wales since 1999, we must recognise the role that the Welsh Government has had in the poor management of the Welsh NHS, and reflect on how their real-terms cut to funding has resulted in dire consequences for patients suffering from orthopaedic conditions around Wales, leaving almost 10,000 people still waiting longer than two years for treatment.
I will raise your issues directly with Russell George MS, who is the Conservative Shadow Minister for Health. In addition to this, I’ll keep osteoporosis services on my office’s record for the next time I have questions to the Welsh Health Minister, Eluned Morgan MS.
Again, thank you for contacting me about this important issue.