Motion 43
Ending Scotland’s Postcode Lottery in Metabolic Bone Care
“That this Congress notes with concern the serious inequality in access to metabolic bone specialist services across Scotland. Osteoporosis is a major women’s-health issue: half of women over 50 will experience a fragility fracture, and over 200,000 women in Scotland are estimated to have hip osteoporosis.
“Congress further notes Public Health Scotland data showing 8,426 hip fractures in 2024, with projections of over 10,000 annually by 2029. Congress also recognises that accurate data on vertebral fractures is not universally collected, despite clinical evidence that vertebral fractures are estimated to occur at least three times the rate of hip fractures each year. Many patients experience successive vertebral fractures, leaving them with chronic, severe and often excruciating pain, loss of mobility, and long-term disability.
“Congress is particularly concerned that newer anabolic osteoporosis treatments, including Romosozumab and Abaloparatide, can only be initiated and monitored by a Metabolic Bone Specialist. Yet many territorial health boards do not provide such services, and where they exist, waiting times are excessive. This creates a postcode lottery that leaves women with severe osteoporosis unable to access potentially life-changing treatment.
“Congress therefore calls on the General Council to lobby the Scottish Government and territorial health boards to ensure timely, equitable access to metabolic bone specialists for all patients who may benefit, supported by national workforce planning, transparent data on access and waiting times, and equality-focused service design.
“Congress calls on the General Council to campaign for bone-health care that is equitable, timely, and based on need, not postcode.”
Mover: The Society of Radiographers (SOR)
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