Bone Abstracts

Osteoporosis is a common chronic condition that weakens bones and increases the risk of fragility fractures, often resulting in pain, disability, loss of independence, and reduced quality of life. For patients, families, and carers, the impact can be profound, creating significant physical, emotional, social, and financial challenges. Yet despite the availability of effective diagnostic tools and evidence-based treatments, many people at high risk remain unidentified and, even when diagnosed, are not consistently managed according to current clinical guidelines. As the only stakeholders who experience the entire osteoporosis pathway, often across multiple fragmented services and specialties, patients and carers provide a unique and invaluable perspective on the need for coordinated, lifelong care. Too often, an initial fragility fracture is not recognised as a warning sign, leading to a cycle of preventable secondary fractures that places a growing burden on individuals, families, and healthcare systems alike. Moving from rhetoric to reality requires closing the gaps in case finding, risk assessment, treatment initiation, adherence, and long-term follow-up. Delivering truly integrated, person-centred osteoporosis care demands partnership between patients, carers, clinicians, healthcare organisations, and system leaders, ensuring that every fracture becomes an opportunity for intervention, prevention, and improved bone health outcomes. This session explores how patients can play a central role in shaping osteoporosis services and influencing strategic healthcare delivery, supported by a practical, step-by-step engagement framework developed through Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) programmes. Attendees will gain insight into the pivotal role of the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) in empowering patients and carers, learn from the national Fracture Liaison Service model in Wales, and consider the key actions required from NHS and political leaders to fund, scale, and sustain high-quality fracture prevention services for the future.