Gordon Joins Osteoporosis Group In Parliament
Gordon has been elected as the new co-chairman of Parliament’s All-Party Osteoporosis Group, at its AGM in Westminster. The annual meeting heard from Professor David Oliver, the NHS Director for Older People, about new work to promote a comprehensive programme to reduce suffering from the condition – 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 will suffer a fracture at some point because of poor bone health. Gordon urged Parliamentarians to lobby their local health trusts on what steps they were taking to commission comprehensive osteoporosis and fracture services to combat this.
Gordon joins his fellow co-chair Baroness Cumberlege, Vice-President of the Royal College of Nursing and a former Conservative spokesperson on health in the Lords. The group is supported by the National Osteoporosis Society which is working closely to promote a fracture liaison service to ensure patients get rapid treatment and care.
‘I have worked closely with the National Osteoporosis Society both nationally and with their Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre branch ever since I was elected as an MP in 1997 on a range of issues – our local NOS branch has been tireless in fundraising for scanning equipment and promoting awareness of the condition.
My late mother suffered from severe osteoporosis for over 30 years and I regard it as a privilege to do what I can to help advance the causes for funding, research and support for osteoporosis sufferers and their families and carers, I know at first hand how painful, debilitating and inhibiting this cruel condition can be.’
We need to make sure – especially at a time of austerity - that decision-makers are aware how there are things that can improve quality of life and restore independence; not just new drugs but exercise and diet initiatives – whose net effect can help save thousands of lives each year as well as tens of millions of pounds in treatment.
I hope we can do a short, sharp enquiry in Parliament in the year ahead that will help raise awareness of what GPs and other medical and social care agencies can do to combat osteoporosis. I’m looking to do whatever I can to help get that underway and support the Older People’s Prevention Package about which Professor Oliver spoke so eloquently at our meeting’