A unique partnership – The Osteoporosis Guideline Initiative – has been formed to raise awareness of best practice in the management of Osteoporosis and to encourage change in practice, where variation exists, to improve patient care across Scotland.
The first of its kind in Scotland, the partnership comprises of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), the National Osteoporosis Society and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) Scotland. A steering group oversees the work of the initiative including the first activity which took place on Wednesday 13 October 13 – the Scottish Osteoporosis Conference.
With a focus on SIGN 71: Management of Osteoporosis, more than 200 delegates from across Scotland took part in the one day multidisciplinary clinical conference at the Hilton Dunblane Hydro.
Dr David Steel, Chief Executive, NHS Quality Improvement Scotland gave a welcome address to key stakeholders including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiologists and representatives from patient groups suffering from osteoporosis. Other key note speakers included Professor Juliet Compston, Professor of Bone Medicine, University of Cambridge and Professor David Reid, Professor of Rheumatology, University of Aberdeen.
The conference was packed with topics ranging from updates on HRT, nutrition and bone research and pharmacological management. Afternoon workshops covered important areas such as exercise and osteoporosis and what is currently happening in various regions in Scotland.
The Osteoporosis Guideline Initiative also covers two other key areas – a nine month regional workshop programme covering all 12 health board areas on the mainland and a resource tool in the form of a new website, www.osteopororisinscotland.org
Dr Patricia Donald, Chair of the Osteoporosis Guideline Initiative, said: “Although SIGN 71 was widely distributed to clinicians across Scotland, there were concerns that the recommendations made in the guideline might not be implemented without further awareness and support. The Osteoporosis Guideline Initiative is a unique and important partnership and with a focused programme of activity, we will help address these concerns.
“Osteoporosis is an increasing problem and is expected to rise in number by 22% by 2016. It is important that we work together to do our best to help those who are suffering from the disease, to reduce their risk of fractures and to try to prevent osteoporosis in our ageing population. We have achieved a lot from this conference and I’m sure the regional workshops will help to improve the quality of care we provide for our patients at a local level.”
Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care, Rhona Brankin, said, “I welcome this initiative to help raise awareness of the SIGN guidelines on management of osteoporosis. By working together, the NHS, the pharmaceutical industry and the voluntary sector will help to improve equity of access to treatment for osteoporosis as well as ensuring that all treatment and care is based on the best available evidence.
"In addition the Executive is working to reduce the number of people suffering from osteoporosis by encouraging young people, especially young women, to become more physically active and choose a balanced diet rich in nutrients, such as calcium, essential for healthy bone development."
It is estimated that 3 million people in the UK suffer from osteoporosis. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 12 men over the age of 50 may develop the disease. For more information on the Osteoporosis Guideline Initiative visit www.osteoporosisinscotland.org
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Notes to Editors:
SIGN
The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network was established in 1993 to improve the effectiveness of clinical care for patients in Scotland. SIGN does this by developing, publishing and disseminating evidence based guidelines for NHSScotland. SIGN guidelines identify and promote good clinical practice and when implemented locally help to address variations in clinical practice across Scotland. SIGN was established by the Medical Royal Colleges and includes representatives from all the medical specialties; dentistry; nursing; allied health professions; pharmacy; health service managers; social workers and patients. SIGN maintains a comprehensive and user-friendly website. All the guidelines can be easily located and downloaded from www.sign.ac.uk
NOS
The National Osteoporosis Society is the only UK charity dedicated to improving the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. It offers support to people with osteoporosis and their families through a range of information booklets and a telephone helpline – 0845 450 0230. It has a large network of local support groups across the United Kingdom and works with healthcare professionals to facilitate greater understanding of the needs of people with osteoporosis. The NOS also encourages national governments and local health boards to resource and deliver appropriate services to prevent, diagnose and treat the broken bones due to osteoporosis. For more information visit www.nos.org.uk
ABPI - SOIG
The Scottish Osteoporosis Industry Group (SOIG) was set up in April 2003 under the auspices of the Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), Scotland, to actively promote improved diagnosis and management of osteoporosis through the implementation of SIGN 71: Management of Osteoporosis. The principal aim of SOIG is to work with other interested parties especially the members of the Osteoporosis Guideline Initiative to help improve the quality of care given to people with this condition. SOIG works with all relevant local agencies to ensure people with osteoporosis have equitable access to diagnostic facilities and the best available treatments, services and medicines for their condition. SOIG also assists the Osteoporosis Guideline Initiative Steering Group in raising the profile and awareness of osteoporosis among all key opinion leaders and policy makers.
