§ Lord Colwynasked Her Majesty's Government:
When the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's guidance on osteoporosis will be published and implemented; and what support they are giving to the National Health Service in developing osteoporosis aspects of the National Service Framework for Older People. [HL1729]
§ Lord WarnerThe National Institute for C finical Excellence (NICE) is carrying out two appraisals on the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. The anticipated publication date of these two appraisals has yet to be determined by NICE. A clinical guideline is also in preparation on the assessment of fracture risk and the prevention of osteoporotic fractures in individuals at high risk. The anticipated publication date for this guidance is June 2005.
The National Health Service is expected to take clue account of NICE guidance from its date of publication. For most technology appraisals where NICE recommends the use of a particular intervention, the NHS is required to make funding available within three months of the date of publication.
Meeting the needs of people with osteoporosis is an important objective of the integrated falls services that the National Service Framework for Older People requires to be in place locally by April 2005. Support for local development includes development and shared learning from the National Primary Care Team's Falls and Healthy Communities Collaborative 201WA sites, published advice and workshops to support local commissioning of falls services, and joint funding with Help the Aged to publish examples of falls prevention services.