Health frailties

To patients – and, specifically, those senior citizens at the greatest risk of bone fractures and such like – it is the quality of the care that matters most.

Yet, if David Cameron wants to convince sceptics that his controversial changes will work, he can begin by setting out a comprehensive response to the damning report into how fall victims are ill-served by the NHS at present.

In short, this audit makes depressing reading. Only one third of hospitals provide any kind of Fracture Liaison Service – the accepted way for co-ordinating care – and osteoporosis treatment remains sub-standard for the majority of patients. Furthermore, deficiencies in after-care, such as physiotherapy and helping hip patients become more mobile, is adding to the pressures facing the NHS, both in financial terms and because of the occupancy of much-needed beds.

The report’s recommend-ations are clear, focusing on the need for a liaison service to co-ordinate care and communication. If these measures work, any additional costs should be offset by the long-term financial savings accrued. Yet many of these recommendations have been made before, and the same problems still persist.

Why, therefore, does the Prime Minister believe that the financial empowerment of GP surgeries will succeed, where others schemes have failed, when hospitals and local authority care staff suggest their work is currently being compromised by resource shortages?

This question goes to the heart of the misgivings surrounding his management upheaval – and the legitimate concerns of patients about the care that they can expect.

Mr Cameron’s response is awaited with interest.