HC Deb 18 November 1998 vol 319 cc701-2W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve treatment of osteoporosis in women; and if he will make a statement. [60484]

Ms Jowell

On 25 June 1998 I launched an osteoporosis strategy at the sixth Bath Conference on Osteoporosis and Bone Mineral Measurement organised by the National Osteoporosis Society.

The strategy was developed in conjunction with a multi-disciplinary team of health professionals and health managers and the National Osteoporosis Society. It is made up of a number of strands, which taken together provide the basis for a range of actions that might be taken at a national, local and individual level to reduce the number of fractures caused as a result of osteoporosis.

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) have developed evidence-based clinical guidelines on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, which are due to be published shortly. From the recommendations of the RCP report a quick reference primary care guide on prevention and treatment has also been produced.

These clearly set out appropriate actions for clinicians, general practitioners and other health professionals to take in patients who have established osteoporosis, and in those at high risk of developing the disease.

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