Tom Redfearn

@tredfearn.bsky.social

Policy, research and influencing on health, care and social issues. Currently at the Royal Osteoporosis Society. Views mine, obvs.

$An open letter to Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, from Annette and Kieran who live with osteoporosis. The letter reads: Dear Secretary of State, Happy New Year! We hope you had a great Christmas. Ours wasn't so good because of our osteoporosis. That's why we're pinning so much hope on the promise you made to make sure people like us get the medication we need through Fracture Liaison Services (FLS). It means so much to us that you understand the unnecessary suffering caused by late diagnosis of this cruel disease. You know that half of all women aged over 50 live with osteoporosis, and a fifth of men. Without medication, bones can be shattered by a sneeze, a cough or a stumble. And broken bones lead to broken lives. Most people with osteoporosis are undiagnosed because FLS are missing in half of NHS Trusts. During the election, you promised you'd set-up FLS in all Trusts by 2030. You pledged to make the rol-out plan one of your first acts in post. At Labour Conference, you told us FLS is "a really well-evidenced form of prevention that is not just good for patients but taxpayers too". You said "we made the promise and we'll keep the promise". You're about to announce your NHS priorities for the next year. If FLS isn't on that list, then this year - and every year - another 2,500 people will die following preventable hip fractures. We’re counting on you, Wes. Please keep your word. Kieran and Annette$

$Lord Black of Brentwood to ask His Majesty's Government what progress they are making towards universal provision of fracture liaison services in England by 2030. (Dinner break business, 1 hour)$

A screenshot of a push notification from The Telegraph. It says 'My 12th-century castle is at risk under Labour's tax raid - I'm so angry'

$Staying fit for work Sir, The warning from the Office for Budget Responsibility that long-term sickness is damaging the economy (Nov 6) must be heeded. Undefined "back pain" is among the most cited reasons for absence. Among older workers, this back pain is often caused by, but not diagnosed as, fractures caused by osteoporosis. Cost-efficient solutions are available. Early diagnostic services, or fracture liaison services, are cheap and effective at getting people on to medication, and so keeping skilled older employees in the workforce. The health secretary has repeatedly committed to rolling out these services; it's time for him to put his words into action. Tom Redfearn Royal Osteoporosis Society$