Professional guidance

BOA-BGS Blue Book on the care of patients with fragility fracture: The British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) and British Geriatrics Society (BGS) published the second edition of the Blue Book in September 2007. The Blue Book describes a systematic approach to hip fracture care and prevention. Six core clinical standards for acute care and secondary prevention were presented. These linked the Blue Book to the National Hip Fracture Database which was launched in parallel. A case is made for universal implementation of Fracture Liaison Services across the UK to close the secondary fracture prevention gap.

The Blue Book was endorsed by all relevant healthcare professional organisations and the National Osteoporosis Society. The clinical standards advocated in the Blue Book are incorporated into the Department of Health Prevention Package for Older People.
NOGG Guideline:The National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG) produced a guideline on the management of people at high fracture risk. Key recommendations include:
- Women with a prior fragility fracture should be considered for treatment
- In patients that are yet to suffer fragility fractures, clinical risk factors can be assessed using the FRAX® tool

The Breaking Point Report provided a snapshot of the current situation for women with osteoporosis in the UK.

Breaking Point described the practical steps that must be taken by healthcare professionals, policy makers and commissioners, as well as the public to prevent avoidable suffering and cost of osteoporotic fractures.

Politicans
In May 2011, national audit revealed that almost two-thirds of localities are not implementing Department of Health policy to prevent hip fractures. Learn how you can ensure your constituents are receiving the best quality care.
HCPs
Fracture begets fracture; half of hip fracture patients suffer a prior fragility fracture before breaking their hip. Fracture Liaison Services have been shown to delivery effective secondary preventive care, but most localities don’t have these services.
Commissioners
Hip fractures cost the UK economy £2 Billion per year which translates to £10 million per year for the average locality. Up to a quarter of hip fractures could readily be prevented if the right models of care were commissioned.
Patients
Simple and effective tools are available to your doctor to assess your risk of suffering a fragility fracture. If you are concerned about osteoporosis find out what you can do.

Amgen and GSK have sponsored the production of this web page. Sponsorship has included payment for a medical writer and payment to a public relations agency in respect of project management support.

Professional guidance

Politicans

HCPs

Commissioners

Patients