As part of the Osteoporosis Guideline Initiative, more than seventy health care professionals from across Lothian took part in a clinical workshop on Tuesday 8th March at the University of Edinburgh.
Dr Tricia Donald, GP & Chair of the Osteoporosis Steering Group gave the welcome address to delegates. A wide range of health care professionals took part including nurses, doctors, consultants, pharmacists and representatives from NHS Lothian. The workshop was packed with topics covering areas such as diet, the role of physiotherapy, falls prevention, fragility fractures and an overview of the current osteoporosis service in Lothian.
Ms Jackie Sansbury, Director of Healthcare Planning for NHS Lothian, announced significant additional investment to improve the current osteoporosis service. Funding for new equipment and specialist support staff will allow GPs to refer their patients directly for scans which can diagnose osteoporosis and monitor its treatment. This is the first time such a GP direct access service has been available in Lothian.
Professor Stuart Ralston, Lead Osteoporosis Physician in Lothian, said “Falls, Osteoporosis and fractures are very important issues for people as they become older. Hip fractures, in particular, are an increasing cause of severe disability and even death and we must do all we can to minimise these. The over 50 population is expected to rise considerably over the next decade so it is important that we continually review our approaches and ensure best practice.
“By bringing together a wide background of disciplines involved in caring for those with Osteoporosis, this workshop provided an ideal opportunity to focus on what we can do for prevention as well as treatment. We have achieved a lot from the day and our aim is for everyone to use the information to further improve services for falls, Osteoporosis and fractures in Lothian.”
A key message for people of all ages is to engage in appropriate levels of physical activity, eat a balanced diet including calcium rich foods and avoid smoking. These all play their part in reducing the risk of falls, osteoporosis and fractures, as well as the more specific treatments which were discussed during the workshop.
The Osteoporosis Guideline Initiative is a unique partnership between the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), the National Osteoporosis Society (NOS) and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) Scotland through the Scottish Osteoporosis Industry Group.
The aim of the initiative is to assist in the implementation of SIGN 71: Management of Osteoporosis, an evidence based guideline to raise awareness of best practice and to improve patient care where variation exists. The Lothian workshop is one of 12 taking place across Scotland. The initiative was officially launched at a national conference in October 2004.
It is estimated that 3 million people in the UK suffer from osteoporosis, a disease which literally means ‘porous bones.’ It affects one in three women and one in 12 men over the age of 50 but it can affect people of all ages. Bone loss occurs naturally to everyone as they get older but osteoporosis is not an inevitable part of ageing and it can be treated.
For more information on the Osteoporosis Guideline Initiative visit www.osteoporosisinscotland.org
ENDS
For more information contact:
Elizabeth Steel, Osteoporosis Guideline Initiative Co-ordinator
Tel: 01698 540111
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.
