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Osteoporosis and Bone Health
22 April 2026
Lead MP
Sonia Kumar
Dudley
Lab
Responding Minister
Sharon Hodgson
Tags
NHS
Word Count: 3307
Other Contributors: 3
At a Glance
Sonia Kumar raised concerns about osteoporosis and bone health in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Sonia Kumar called on the Government to roll out fracture liaison services (FLS) to all parts of England by 2030, introduce questions about bone density and osteoporosis in health checks for over-40s, and implement targeted case finding and proactive bone health management for those aged 70 and above.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
As a practising physiotherapist, Sonia Kumar has witnessed the profound impact of osteoporosis on individuals' health, independence, and livelihood. She highlighted that over 3.2 million people in England live with osteoporosis, including more than 2.5 million women, with one in two women over 50 suffering a fracture caused by osteoporosis. The disease is asymptomatic until it manifests through fractures, which can lead to significant health issues and loss of independence. She cited stark variations in access to treatment across the country, noting that prescribing rates for critical second-line therapy are three and a half times higher in affluent areas compared with deprived areas.
Adam Dance
Lib Dem
Yeovil
Constituents such as Susan have suffered pain and ch [2D [K changes to their life because of osteoporosis. The concern is that without [K a fully funded implementation plan, there will not be proper fracture liais [5D [K liaison services in rural areas.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
The hon. Member's work on osteoporosis before coming [6D [K coming to the House is commendable. The condition affects one in two women [K and one in four men over 50, highlighting the need for greater awareness, e [1D [K especially regarding calcium and vitamin D.
Rachel Taylor
Lab
North Warwickshire and Bedworth
Recently welcoming a new state-of-the-art physical a [1D [K activity hub in her constituency, Rachel Taylor discussed how it could help [4D [K help residents stay active and prevent osteoporosis. She asked the Minister [8D [K Minister to address the utilisation of physiotherapy workforce.
Government Response
Sharon Hodgson
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Lewell. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley (Sonia Kumar) for securing this important debate. She continues to work as a physiotherapist alongside her role as an MP, bringing valuable professional clinical experience and knowledge. Osteoporosis affects more than 3 million people in the UK, with over half a million presenting to hospitals annually due to fragility fractures. The Government recognises the significant impact of osteoporosis on individuals and the NHS, aiming for personalised care through initiatives like the neighbourhood health service and Diagnosis Connect. Over 16,000 extra DEXA scans were delivered last year, with £2.4 million funding announced for 20 new scanners to improve access to bone scans. Fracture liaison services are being rolled out to every part of the country by 2030. Two new drugs have been recommended by NICE since 2022 to treat osteoporosis in post-menopausal women, and the Government is committed to supporting healthy ageing through initiatives like the WorkWell programme and MSK community delivery programme.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.