Baroness Donaghy (Lab)

My Lords, it is always a pleasure to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Eaton. I welcome the reference in the gracious Speech to the continuing modernisation of the NHS. I will speak today about the Government’s commitment to the 2.5 million women in England living with osteoporosis and ask where that commitment now stands. Fracture liaison services are the gold standard for stopping osteoporosis in its tracks before it becomes catastrophic. Where they exist, patients who suffer a first fracture are caught, assessed, placed on medication and supported through a structured programme, interrupting the cycle that would otherwise lead to further breaks, lost independence and, in too many cases, premature death. The Government committed to making these services universal across England by 2030, and it was a commitment that was warmly received. Since that day, women living with osteoporosis have heard that commitment 63 times in Parliament, in the media and in government documents, including, most recently, the Renewed Women’s Health Strategy for England. Yet no implementation plan has been published and there is no timetable, milestones or dedicated funding. The result is institutional paralysis. Some 60 new services are needed, but none has opened and, in that time, there have been 4,000 deaths that fracture liaison services could have helped to prevent. That is why more than 60 organisations are calling for this rollout to happen. This coalition spans women’s health groups, royal colleges, trade unions and the world of business. However, this coalition is growing increasingly concerned, and the Government simply repeating the pledge is no longer sufficient to allay those concerns. The Society of Radiographers has warned that rollout must begin this summer for the 2030 target to remain achievable. These services cannot be created overnight; they require recruitment, staffing and commissioning. In some areas, local plans have been put on hold, waiting for national direction. I make a straightforward plea for transparency. If there is a reason why the Government cannot move forward right now, please can they tell us when the plan will be published? Do Ministers still believe that the plan is deliverable by 2030? The 2.5 million women and 700,000 men living with osteoporosis and the sector that supports them look forward to an answer from the Minister.