Received from: SoR
Osteoporosis is known as the ‘silent condition’, with more at risk as the population grows and ages. Investment in falls prevention, education and awareness in primary care, combined with early diagnosis is proven to greatly reduce associated risk and costs
DEXA scans carried out by trained specialists could hugely reduce the risk. However, the critical shortage of staff and equipment in this modality illustrates the impact on patients and communities arising from decades of under-investment in growing diagnostic radiography capacity to meet its potential. There is currently only one specialist training centre in England.
All the main parties made positive statements after lobbying during the general election, but none have yet published clear, costed strategies that map a pathway from where we are now to being able to having enough trained professionals and equipment that to eventually pay for itself. This real require continued pressure and genuine social partnership.
Congress therefore calls on TUC to:
i. support World Osteoporosis Day on 20 October and other activities that raise awareness of the danger of falls and educating primary care leaders to the potential of DEXA based services
ii. lobby Westminster and devolved governments to develop an appropriately sized workforce, with the necessary specialist DEXA skills and equipment to meet current and future demand around prevention and early Osteoporosis diagnosis.
Society of Radiographers