§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to improve services for osteoporosis patients while the National Institute for Clinical Excellence is developing guidance on osteoporosis. [172200]
§ Dr. LadymanServices to identify, treat and offer preventative advice are readily available on the national health service. Significant progress has been made in highlighting the importance of preventing the development of osteoporosis and resulting fractures.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what(a) support and (b) resources are available to strategic health authorities to ensure implementation of (i) osteoporosis and (ii) falls strategies; [172202]
(2) what support is available to primary care trusts for establishing osteoporosis (a) strategies and (b) services. [172203]
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§ Dr. LadymanA range of national actions have been taken to support the implementation of integrated falls service required by the national service framework for older people. As outlined in the framework this should include appropriate links to osteoporosis prevention, treatment and care. National support has included asking the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to develop clinical guidelines on the prevention of falls, and on osteoporosis prevention; the publication of supporting documents "How can we help older people not fall again? Implementing the Older People's NSF Falls Standard—Support for commissioning good falls services" in September 2003, including cascade training events on the use of the document; and developing and sharing practice through the National Falls Collaborative and Healthy Communities Collaborative on falls. We are continuing to work closely with and support Help the Aged's slips and trips campaign.
§ Mrs. DeanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to ensure that the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's technology appraisal on osteoporosis is implemented. [172558]
§ Dr. LadymanNational health service bodies are under a statutory obligation to fund treatments recommended in National Institute for Clinical Excellence technology appraisals. We expect primary care trusts (PCTs) to meet their statutory obligations, and strategic health authorities to follow up any allegations of non-compliance. We last reminded PCTs of these obligations in guidance published in January 2003.
§ Dr. NaysmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of what features are required in a fully integrated falls and osteoporosis service. [173542]
§ Dr. LadymanThe national service framework for older people, published in March 2001, set out an evidence based service model detailing the essential features of an integrated falls service, this included appropriate links to osteoporosis. A copy of the publication is available in the Library.
Two evidence based supporting documents have been published: "How can we help older people not fall again? Implementing the Older People's NSF Falls Standard—Support for commissioning good falls services"; September 2003 and "Making the case for investing in falls and fractures prevention—A workbook of idea", February 2004. Copies are available in the Library. Cascaded training of their use was offered to all local health and social care communities.
The Department asked the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to develop separate but linked clinical guidelines on the prevention of falls and the prevention of osteoporosis. These are due for publication in September 2004 and 2005 respectively.