§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions(a) he and (b) his officials have had with primary care trusts with regard to the integration of falls and osteoporosis services. [181437]
§ Dr. LadymanIn the development of support for local action on putting in place integrated falls services officials have had continued interaction with colleagues within primary care trusts and councils. This has included involvement in the development of the national service framework for older people, published in 2001, which contains a service model for an integrated falls 893W service, including appropriate links to osteoporosis, and of supporting information on service development and good practice.
The national primary care development team's healthy communities collaborative on falls and the falls collaborative have also provided opportunities for primary care trusts and departmental officials to come together to consider these issues.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what osteoporosis-specific activities his Department is engaged with; and which relate particularly to osteoporosis sufferers who have not fallen. [182734]
§ Dr. LadymanLocal health trusts are taking measures to reduce the risk of fracture by indentying individuals at risk and ensuring appropriate interventions. This is supported by the work of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), which is currently undertaking a technology appraisal looking at five osteoporosis durgs. The Department has also asked NICE to produce a clinical guideline on the assessment of risk fracture and prevention of osteoporotic fractures in individuals at high risk. The guideline will refer to, update and extend the evidence base of previously published guidelines and technology appraisals and those currently under development. Work on the clinical guideline is underway and expected to be published in 2005.