Written question WQ85729
- Asked by
- Peredur Owen GriffithsPlaid
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
Will the Minister commit to early intervention on osteoporosis and give everyone over 50 access to a fracture liaison service, given that less than two-thirds of people aged over 50 in Wales have access to such a service, which is the world-standard for preventing life-changing fractures?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services
The Welsh Government recognises the valuable role that Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) have in providing early intervention, easy access to osteoporosis care and in reducing the risk of further fractures with a recent fragility fracture in people aged over 50.
Dr Inder Singh, the National Clinical Lead for Falls and Frailty for Wales, has prioritised this work within the National Falls and Frailty Fracture Audit Programme Strategic Group. Following the Fracture Liaison Service Database Annual Report published in January 2022, Dr Singh initiated a review of FLS across Wales and identified a FLS audit lead within each health board. The review provided a clear understanding of current services across Wales and helped to outline the variation in access and range of services provided.
To support this important area of work, a new national FLS Development & Quality Assurance Group has been established, consisting of a wide range of key stakeholders including the FLS audit leads. The inaugural meeting is being held on 20 July 2022 and will focus on the results of the national audit, improve and support the delivery of care across Wales and reduce the risk of subsequent fractures for patients with a recent fragility fracture.
We are committed to supporting the effectiveness in osteoporosis care delivery in our existing services and working to develop those areas, which do not currently have services in place.