§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what funding has been made available in each of the past five years to health boards for screening of osteoporosis; how many women in Scotland have been screened for osteoporosis in each of the past five years: how many clinics in health board and trust board areas exist for the specific purpose of screening for osteoporosis; and how many women have been diagnosed as suffering from osteoporosis in each of the past five years.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 7 March 1994]: Information about screening of osteoporosis and funding for this is not held centrally.
It is for health boards as purchasers of care to secure from provider units or trusts an appropriate level of osteoporosis services based on assessment of local need.
The table identifies the number of females discharged from hospital over the last five years with a diagnosis of osteoporosis.
Number of females discharged from NHS hospitals in Scotland with a diagnosis of "Osteoporosis" for the years 1988 to 1993 Year Discharges (Females) 1988 1,056 1989 1,215 1990 1,478 1991 1,793 1992 1,960 11993 2,283 1 1993 data are provisional.