The Government has been criticised for not rolling out checks for osteoporosis on at-risk patients at all hospitals - leaving many vulnerable to fatal fractures00:01, 03 Jul 2026Delays rolling out NHS osteoporosis checks means hundreds of thousands of post-menopausal women are at risk of life-changing bone fractures, experts have warned.‌The Royal Osteoporosis Society says a broken promise by the government to check more people for the bone thinning condition means diagnoses are flatlining and about 200,000 people a year are going undiagnosed. Half of women over the age of 50 and one in five men will break a bone due to osteoporosis, and it is the UK's fourth biggest cause of disability and early death.‌The society says 2,000 people die every year following hip fractures that could be prevented by rolling out a Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) at all NHS trusts - but only half currently have them. A FLS would screen patients admitted to hospital who are likely to have osteoporosis and prescribes them drugs to strengthen bones as well as physio sessions.‌Former health secretary Wes Streeting said Labour would do this as one of its first acts in government before coming to power in 2024. New analysis of the national Fracture Liaison Service audit shows 79,553 patients were identified by FLS in England in 2025 compared with 77,136 in 2024. The Society said that these services should be identifying 264,000 patients a year.Craig Jones, chief executive of the Royal Osteoporosis Society, said: "Today's figures show England is flatlining on osteoporosis diagnosis. Ministers in Whitehall owe it to people to be honest about whether and how they are going to implement their promise to roll out these clinics to every area.”‌During the menopause oestrogen, the hormone that is important for maintaining bone density and strength, decreases and bone density reduces. This can lead to bone thinning, known as osteoporosis.Wes Streeting had said: “One of my first acts in government will be to task NHS England with developing a rollout plan, so every part of the country has access to Fracture Liaison Services.” Mr Streeting has since been replaced as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care by James Murray.‌Estimates suggest that 3.5 million people in the UK have the condition which develops slowly over years and is often only diagnosed after a person breaks one of their bones, commonly their hip, wrist or spinal bones.Craig Jones added: "At the current pace, we won't see this pledge fulfilled until 2064 - eight general elections' time. Ministers have promised this roll-out 85 times, but a pledge on paper saves no lives at all. A new Health Secretary offers the chance to rescue this policy, turn this around and save lives."We're calling on James Murray to publish an implementation plan before Parliament's summer recess, so people in England can benefit from the same life-saving care now offered in Wales."Article continues belowA Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "This Government remains committed to rolling out fracture liaison services by 2030, as set out in our 10 Year Health Plan and the Women's Health Strategy."But we're also taking action in the meantime by investing in 20 new state-of-the-art DEXA scanners across the country, building on the first wave of 13 last year."These new machines will help diagnose fragile bones earlier and prevent painful, life-changing fractures - particularly among older people and women, who are disproportionately affected by osteoporosis."