§ David DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of fracture patients aged over 50 received an osteoporosis risk assessment in(a) Hull and the East Riding and (b) England and Wales, in the last two quarters for which figures are available. [92909]
§ Jacqui SmithInformation about identifying those at risk of osteoporosis was included in the Department's "Strategy to prevent fractures caused by osteoporosis", which was issued to all health authorities in 1998. This was based on the Royal College of Physicians' clinical guidelines for strategies to prevent and treat osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis, a condition characterised by a reduction in bone mass and density increases the risk of fracture when an older person falls. The development and implementation of integrated falls services, incorporating the identification of osteoporosis are 821W covered in the national service framework for older people. This, when set in the context of the national priorities guidance establishes it as a high priority for local action and delivery. It provides the basis for a service model that will deliver the improvements in prevention, care, treatment and rehabilitation of those at risk of injury from falls.
Information on the percentage of fracture patients over 50 years of age who have received an osteoporosis risk assessment is not available centrally.
Three month vacancy rate (percentage) Three month vacancy (number) Staff in post (whole time equivalent) Staff in post (headcount) England 5.2 7 118 152 North West region 7.7 1 12 16 Former North East Lancashire Health Authority 1— 0 2— 2— Former North West Lancashire Health Authority 3— 0 0 0 Former South Lancashire Health Authority 3— 0 0 0 1 Figures where sum of staff in post vacancies is less than 10. 2 Number is greater then 0 and less than five to prevent breaches of the data protection act. 3 Figures where sum of staff in post and vacancies is zero. Key notes:
1. Three month vacancy information is as at 31 March 2002.
2. Three month vacancies are vacancies which trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more (whole time equivalents).
3. Three month vacancy rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post.
4. Three month vacancy rates are calculated using staff in post Consultant Census, March 2002.
5. Staff in post data are from Mini Consultant Census, March 2002.
6. Staff in post data exclude staff employed by health authorities, as vacancy information was only collected from Trusts, PCTs and Special Health Authorities.
7. Medical and dental figures exclude staff in training.
8. Vacancy and staff in post numbers are rounded to the nearest whole number.
9. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place.
Other notes:
10. Due to rounding, totals may not equal the sum of component part.
11. Due to the rounding, calculating the vacancy rates using the above data may not equal the actual vacancy rates.
12. HA figures are based on Trusts, and do not necessarily reflect the geographical.
Sources:
Vacancy numbers and rates:
1. Department of Health Vacancies Survey March 2002.
2. Department of Health Consultant Census March 2002. Medical and Dental staff in post:
3. Department of Health Consultant Census March 2002.