BURT PROMOTES OSTEOPOROSIS CARE

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 10th May 2006

Lorely Burt MP has written to the Solihull Primary Care Trust enquiring about the services available for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in Solihull.

Lorely has specific concerns about the waiting time for a bone density scan, the number of available (DXA) scanning machines and whether there are routine screening programmes in place, and if so who they cover.

Commenting, Lorely said,

"An estimated 3 million people in the UK suffer from osteoporosis, and one in two women and one in five men will suffer a fracture by the age of 50. Early diagnosis of people with osteoporosis is an important first step in the prevention of fractures."

Lorely added, "I feel strongly that the PCT should do all that it can to ensure that as many people as possible can be quickly and painlessly screened to minimise the development of a condition which can cause so much distress.

"If we are to look after the needs of our elderly people and ensure that they are well cared for, then we must have a fully integrated osteoporosis service."

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