Agenda item - Formal Public Involvement

This is the part of the meeting when members of the public can formally ask questions of the Board or present a petition.  These need to be notified to the Board in advance of the meeting.  Ring the Secretary to the Board, Caroline DeMarco on 01273 291063 or send an email to caroline.demarco@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Written Question

57.1    Anthea Franks, Chair of the National Osteoporosis Service asked the following question:

Osteoporosis Service

“It has been found in the US that for women over 55, bone fractures due to osteoporosis lead to more hospitalisations and health costs than heart attacks, strokes or breast cancer, according to a new study.  There, between 2000 and 2011 osteoporotic fractures accounted for 40% of hospitalisations. In the UK one out of four orthopaedic beds is occupied by a patient with a hip fracture. The mortality rate is 20% in the first year of a hip fracture. Morbidity and mortality increases with age for patients who have had a vertebral fracture.

In Brighton & Hove there were 247 fractures in 2013; in 2002 it was estimated that the cost of a hip fracture was £12.000 including social care. This brings the total conservative cost for hip fractures alone at £2,294-000 in Brighton & Hove at 2002 cost. This also affects Community Services.

Brighton & Hove Joint Health & Wellbeing Strategy Board Plan for Better Care includes many topics including healthy ageing. An osteoporosis service is not mentioned. Does the board not think that such a service would be beneficial by offering primary and secondary prevention of osteoporotic fractures, thereby decreasing hospital cost, attendance at A&E and social care, not to mention patients' wellbeing?”

57.2   The Chair replied as follows: 

“I acknowledge that osteoporosis is a significant health issue for many older people and agree that with proper testing and preventive treatment the health impact and financial cost of treating fractures can be much reduced.  The forthcoming strategy, as we will discuss at the Health & Wellbeing Board today is very likely to include a priority of ‘Giving Every Person the Best Chance of Aging Well’.  The detail of this is still to be worked though, however the views of groups like Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society, National Osteoporosis Society and their local representatives will be considered in any development of this theme.”

57.3    Christa Beesley informed Ms Franks that a DXA scan service was available for people in Brighton & Hove.  There was also a falls prevention service.  

57.4    RESOLVED- That the written question be noted.