Experts have warned that the diagnosis rate for a common bone condition in England is "flatlining," prompting the Royal Osteoporosis Society to call on ministers to ensure nationwide access to early diagnosis clinics.
The charity cautioned that patients currently face a "postcode lottery" for these crucial services, also known as Fracture Liaison Services (FLS).
An estimated 3.5 million people in the UK live with osteoporosis, a condition that progressively weakens bones, making them significantly more prone to fractures.
The Royal Osteoporosis Society said that delays to roll out FLS across the country mean that diagnosis rates are “flatlining”.
New analysis of the national Fracture Liaison Service audit show 79,553 patients were identified by FLS in England in 2025 compared with 77,136 in 2024.
The Society said that these services need to identify 264,000 patients a year through these services to ensure that the full eligible population is properly served.
And it warned that the consequences can be severe, saying these broken bones are the UK’s fourth biggest cause of disability and early death.
Source: The Independent, 3 July 2026
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