Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Evans of Rainow on 14 September (HL Debate, col 241GC), why the “package of prioritised measures to expand the provision of fracture liaison services and improve their current quality” was not mentioned in the Autumn Statement.

The Noble Lord's letter of 15 September 2023 following the debate confirmed the position that the Government would continue to consider options for further work to support those with osteoporosis and at risk of fractures, including working together with NHS England to explore supporting the provision of fracture liaison services (FLS). A copy of this letter was placed in the House library.

FLS are commissioned by integrated care boards (ICBs) which are well placed to make decisions according to local need. NHS England is also supporting requests from health systems to introduce FLS and other secondary fracture prevention services, including through the Falls and Fragility Fracture Audit Programme.

On 24 January 2023, we announced our plan to publish the Major Conditions Strategy. This strategy will explore how we can tackle the key drivers of ill-health in England, reduce pressure on the National Health Service and reduce ill-health related labour market inactivity. The Strategy will focus on six major groups of conditions including musculoskeletal conditions, such as osteoporosis.