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Despite a series of pledges from the Government in recent months that more money would come in last week\u2019s Autumn Statement, not a penny extra was given to halt the \u201csilent epidemic\u201d facing the UK.<\/p>\n
The Sunday Express Better Bones campaign, in collaboration with the Royal Osteoporosis Society, has been calling for \u00a330million of extra funding each year to be ploughed into fracture liaison services.<\/p>\n
The campaign wants all over-50s to have access to the specialist bone clinics, which diagnose and treat the brittle bone disease.
Half of women and one in five men over 50 will get osteoporosis.<\/p>\n
The degenerative condition leads to disability and even death if not treated.<\/p>\n
Lord Black of Brentwood, whose mother suffered with the disease, has backed our fight. He said: \u201cLike the Grand Old Duke of York, the Government has marched an army of vulnerable people to the top of the hill and shamefully marched them back down again. So many promises were made and now so many hopes were cruelly dashed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe decision not to include funding for fracture liaison services is callous and heartless. Tens of thousands of lives will be blighted by pain and disability as a result \u2013 and many lives will be put at risk. The Government must think again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Consultant rheumatologist Professor Emma Clark, said: \u201cMore broken promises means more ruined lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryday we see the cost of preventable fractures on our wards, operating theatres and outpatients. We hoped the government would keep its word and take action, since sorting out the postcode lottery of fracture liaison services is vital. There is a real sense of betrayal in the clinical community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Damian Green, Tory MP for Ashford, said: \u201cI was disappointed not to see an announcement in the Autumn Statement. I am determined to press ministers to meet their commitments on this vital matter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Phyll Taylor, ROS patient advocate, said: \u201cThe word that comes to mind is \u2018futility\u2019. Every time there\u2019s been a commitment on osteoporosis we\u2019ve been let down.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis betrayal is even harder to take given reports of impending tax cuts.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Better Bones camapaign has been backed by seven Royal medical colleges, 250 MPs and peers, medical unions, business leaders and a host of charities.<\/p>\n
Osteoporosis not only destroys lives but costs the NHS and the economy, as people quit work or are off sick due to the illness.<\/p>\n
Our proposed measures would save 8,000 lives over five years and cut NHS spending by \u00a3665million. We are also calling for a Fracture Tsar in each UK nation to oversee better osteoporosis care.<\/p>\n
Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central, said: \u201cWhat kind of message does this send to women about the value this government puts on their health?<\/p>\n